Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 11, 2019

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Government’s bag of Christmas goodies Is it an early Christmas gift, a New Year’s resolution from near mid-December, or simply more politics in the making and on the move? Whatever it is, the government has saved its best for this last month of the year, with more promised, since it appears to be building a full head of steam and going for broke. The Hon. Minister of Natural Resources appeared first, to deliver lessons in geography, raw border realities, geopolitics, and capitalist economics all rolled into one smooth package that was so well-timed that it went over the heads of most citizens. It was playing to the crowd, which is part local, and more of the foreign community of keenly listening, vigilantly watching, and diplomatically weighing. For what the Hon Minister articulated was tantamount to: we needed you (to stand by us), we have tied bundle with you (at our expense), and now we depend on you (in being as one and inseparable from you). In the event that the ‘you’ is too mysterious for some souls; the translation should not be mistaken: the you represents the Americans. For when there was a need for a ‘big brother’ there was the savvy political sense to team up with the one that rules the roost. The Americans have to have heard that public announcement - a national confession, really and nodded their heads in approval, as they too could use any allies that they can get today, since that once teeming crowd has thinned considerably. Clearly, a heavyweight trump card has been played, and one which is sure to find favour when the cables are read, and the conversations are had. It would not be in the high elevations of Washington, D.C. only, since there are other eyes and ears peering and listening for any indications of the lay of the land. The government has now openly admitted, and it puts others on the defensive, since the alternatives are not so robust or so soothing for the comforts they offer. The government bided its time and waited its turn and, in essence, defanged more than a few contemporaries, some unfriendly. For which one in the midst is going to take a stand now and raise hand and voice now against the American Eagle?Because, at the end of the day, this is about ExxonMobil and then some more with, truth be told, that same American corporate standard-bearer and petroleum adventurer being only the visible, audible, and palpable representation of the forces in action in Guyana, the real global forces stirring and flexing and overshadowing. For those who continue to be skeptical or may be a tad short in the memory department, the pages of regional history are turned back, and there is pausing in Chile and Guatemala from way back, and from today, the entity on our own radar named Venezuela. Things are a little more nuanced nowadays, in view of Frank Church and the Boland Amendment and their descendants and accompaniments, which have made things infinitely trickier. But, as history does testify, there was an Allende and Anaconda Corp. (Pepsi Cola, too) and Arbenz and United Fruit, and the record shows that the Americans won: through perpetuation of ideology and corporate continuity. Yes, the times may have changed, but it is that same song and dance (more subtly choreographed now) that is unfolding right here in Guyana, with the message coming across loud and clear from the government, through its minister: if the Americans are for us, who dare to be against us?But there was another December political handout from the government, though not of cash, it does involve cash. On this occasion, the Hon. Minister of Finance shared with the nation that the cash from the oil is going to be held under lock and key in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The Americans win again, and this government comes out ahead (again) with this latest holiday surprise: give the people what they ask for and give them in a capitalist strongbox deep in its stronghold. Who can argue with any of this? The question that comes is: what else does this government have up its sleeve, since it appears to be now starting?

This betrayalto court of forour nation shall surely live on not adhering to Million per annum and to serve Guyana in the future? UNCLOS convention and includes such notables as I think not! in infamy the Guyana’s Mission at the UN former UG Vice-Chancellor This betrayal of our DEAR EDITOR, The glorious and momentous Chairmanship of the G77 is Guyana’s. David Granger can rejoice in the prestige gained as he is wont to do, but the Chair came at a hefty price and also with high recurring costs. First the price: Guyana’s Ambassador to the UN, Michael Ten Pow has not voted at UNCLOS- law of the sea. This is specifically in Guyana’s interest against Venezuela. Ten-Pow instructed his officer Megayla Austin not to vote. Guyana was marked as absent. Here is Guyana taking Venezuela

saw it fit to abstain from the vote. This is a dereliction of duty to Guyana and a complete betrayal of our national interest. I can only hope this ‘mess of pottage’ chokes the avaricious few. And then the recurring costs: It is interesting to see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release on the issue speak about “Team members will be drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other Government Ministries and agencies and from the Guyanese diaspora”. The ‘team’ will cost the taxpayers over $500

Ivelaw Griffith, Troy Torrington, and Neil Pierre. Other names being floated include Attorney James Bond and former Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland. It is as if the last joke is being played on the Guyanese taxpayer before we can get to the polls on March 2nd, 2020. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General Audrey Jardine-Wadell was the first casualty of this ‘vanity’ campaign, Guyana was the last; the implications for our border security and maritime issues are far reaching. Can Ten Pow and his team of cronies be trusted

nation shall surely live on in infamy and I wish all those involved suffer the fate described best in Sir Walter Scott’s Patriotism Innominatus: “Despite those titles, power, and pelf, The wretch, concentred all in self, Living, shall forfeit fair renown, And, doubly dying, shall go down To the vile dust from whence he sprung, Unwept, unhonour’d, and unsung” Respectfully Robin Singh

EMPTY PROMISES TO A DESPERATE POPULACE DEAR EDITOR, Election season in Guyana have started. Although my philosophy is antagonistic to most politicians, I engage in dialogue. I prefer substance over form. Soon political manifestos will be issued. Although, they are supposed to declare the programmes, positions and new ideas of the issuer, they are historically empty promises to a desperate populace. They only highlight the programmes but not its cost or drawbacks. The government gets

money via taxation mainly from citizens. Whatever programme a government offers will be paid for by taxpayers. They usually take from Tom and give to Ted. The wealthy usually have corporation trusts and foundation to legally deflect taxes. Government officials usually live extravagant compared to regular citizen yet they claim that their salary is not enough. In the Westminster system, which Guyana employs, there is no effective mechanism to hold a government to honesty and

fairness because law enforcement is under the control of the political directorates. The integrity commission is toothless and meant to give the appearance of transparency and accountability without negative consequences to the political elite. As Fredrick Douglass, an American social reformer, said, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will”. When election comes remember power corrupts, so don’t expect elected representatives to do the right

thing if the citizenry is not going to force them. They will sell you dreams. Politics is an endeavour where politicians have many masters but only truly serve one and obviously it’s not the needy because they remain needy and through generations families remain poor. The empirical and historical evidence suggests politicians keep the people accepting the status quo by providing short term relief. Only the people can save the people. Yours truly, Brian E Plummer

These guidelines make the teachers’ job easier DEAR EDITOR, I have rarely agreed with the policies of the Ministry of Education. However, I am in full agreement with the latest policy of the Ministry of Education in mandating that schools have ‘Christmas Socials’ rather than ‘Christmas Parties’. What is outstanding about this directive is the 7 guidelines which have been advocated by the Ministry. What is not outstanding is the fact that this directive was given through the Regional Education Officers to the schools in their Region rather than a circular sent by Central Ministry. This gives the impression that the Ministry of Education is ‘scared’ to offend its opponents. Any stakeholder in education will accept these guidelines without reservation. Firstly, teachers are asked to dress modestly. To object to this is to suggest that teachers should be allowed to dress immodestly. Teachers cannot instill a rule for 14 weeks and then break that rule in one day. This goes against the norms of conditioning. Further, casual clothing has always been a limiting factor for students attending the very Christmas parties being championed by critics now. Some students, many students simply do not have the

means to buy the clothes to attend. As a secondary school student, one cannot attend a Christmas party with what is not in style. Having the event per class is the norm in most school. There is nothing new about this. This is what has been happening for as long as there have been Christmas parties. Thirdly, the kind of music is recommended. I have observed in Region 3 that a number of schools hire a music system taller than the ground flat of the school building. Imagine these are primary schools. It should be noted that the cost of the music system is paid for by the students. As such, the third guideline is more economic rather than restrictive. These music systems hardly gyrate its audience with songs associated with Christmas. This gyration has, over the years, resulted in the destruction of school furniture, teaching aids and other school properties. Fights have ensued after these gyrations. Gift exchange has been recommended but not made compulsory. Again, I am sure it is due to economic consideration rather than ‘taking the fun out of the party’. To attend a Christmas party or social, a student is required to

make a contribution to the music system, food, decorations, in addition to purchasing clothes and a gift. Attending a Christmas party is an expensive venture which many students cannot afford. School uniform means one less thing to spend money on. Guidelines 5, 6 and 7 are more security measures rather than limitations to having a ‘good time’. Why must the social go later than 3pm? Why should outsiders be allowed? In light of the numerous security violations schools have had during this year, it is a move in the right direction to not have non-students attend the social.Stakeholders who object to this policy must be very

careful in their objection. What really is the objection? The only thing objectionable is the name change. One cannot be a serious stakeholder in education and object to the 7 guidelines being advocated by the Ministry of Education. Consequently, I find it strange that the General Secretary for GTU, Coretta McDonald, has voiced criticism for these guidelines. Ms. McDonald must be reminded that GTU has a mandate to the teachers of this country. These guidelines make the teachers’ job easier. Hence, the objection seems to be for the sake of objecting. Yours faithfully, Mohammed S. Hussain

Governments have clearly failed DEAR EDITOR, Tuesday December 9, 2019 was Human Rights Day, the 71st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ adoption by the UN General Assembly. Youth Standing Up for Human Rights’ is this year’s theme, in recognition of a year marked by the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to highlight the leadership role of youth in collective movements as a source of inspiration for a better future.One of the key features is the obligation, to ensure the best interests of the child is the primary consideration in all their legislation, policy and practice - governments have clearly failed in this given the shocking numbers of children living in conditions of poverty, even as they continue to increase military spending. Yours, Rooplall Dudhnath

Wednesday December 11, 2019

Disappointed with GTT’s Blaze service DEAR EDITOR, I received the GTT blaze service on March 28th, 2019 and after one month of service it was disconnected for non-payment . I left the country in May, 2019 and up to June I was receiving monthly billing for a service that was disconnected. After querying with several of GTT’s CSR I was told that even though the service is disconnected I am required to pay the monthly recurring fee. This I did not agree with and a complaint was filed with the PUC. The account was subsequently adjusted with a final amount of $20,517 to be paid .The bill was paid on November 9 and service was restored. December 4 last, I received a bill via text in the amount of $24,915.The following day I accessed the bill query service via live chat and was transferred to an agent [name withheld] and after going through my query I was placed on hold several times for long periods, after being on hold for more than five minutes the session timed out and I was disconnected which left my query being unresolved. I subsequently called the Customer Services Call Centre on 0488 and was transferred to an agent [name withheld]. After providing a summary of my query I was bluntly told by this agent that I needed to pay the bill or risk having my service disconnected.During my interaction with this agent I found her to be aggressive, dismissive, rude, lack knowledge of the query principles and procedures. I asked her several times why should I have to pay this amount since my service was only reconnected on November 9th after I would have paid all charges. She kept repeating the blaze terms and conditions with respect to the service being disconnected

which did not have any relevance to my query since my service was only restored less than a month.I was then advised that if I can’t afford to pay the bill in its entirety then I can sign an agreement to which I refused on the grounds that I would not commit to paying for something that I’m not responsible for. After insisting that this amount was incorrect and there were adjustments in the past I was placed on hold and then informed that there was an adjustment on my account and that it wasn’t update. I enquired the amount and was told that this information cannot be provided to me. I then insisted that since I’m the account holder this information should be available to me upon my request and if there is an adjustment on the account why shouldn’t I be asked to pay my monthly charges and the account not be flagged for disconnection until the adjustment is updated. Again I was told that I have to pay the full amount .I insisted again and asked to speak to the supervisor. I was then placed on hold and then advised to pay what I had earlier suggested and was told

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that my account shouldn’t be disconnected.I requested a second time to speak to her supervisor and was told that he was unavailable and my ticket/query would need to be logged first and that the supervisor would return a call to me during the course of the day.At the time of writing this I’m still waiting on that call. Far from being satisfied I revisited the live chat and as fate would have it, I was transferred to the first agent. I enquired why wasn’t there no attempt to make contact with me after the session had timed out and there was an ongoing query. To my surprise I was not given an apology for this.I’m very disappointed about the manner and attitude of the two representatives I dealt with earlier. I requested the email address for the supervisor of the call centre to lodge a formal complaint, this was provided to me and an email was sent to jdenny@gtt.co.gy where a formal complaint was lodged. At the time of writing this letter I haven’t received any feedback for the complaint I sent nor has there been any acknowledgement of same. Very disappointed, Christopher Houston

Children need to be taught that they must not bully others and why DEAR EDITOR, I know the issue has been discussed at length in various fora, but I ask you for some space in your newspaper to offer my views on the matter on the recent spate of fights and cases of bullying in schools. For decades the public education system has had to deal with fights and bullying in the school system. As a Guyanese in the diaspora, I should say that these issues are not isolated to Guyana. These are matters that education systems across the globe are forced to deal with on a daily basis. However, this must not be interpreted as me arguing that the Guyanese education system should be relaxed in its efforts to address these issues. The Ministry is working and I am sure we can agree that more needs to be done. At the end of the day, these are behavioural issues which are linked to the upbringing and socialisation of children within our society. We have children that are teasing and bullying their peers and we have students

that don’t know how to deal with situations where they are provoked. The first place where the socialisation process begins is the home. However, we must be realistic and understand that children still learn some behaviour traits away from the home. This is why it is imperative that parents and guardians pay greater attention to their children. Parents might be teaching their children one thing and when around their friends or other relatives they are taught something different and may end up embracing the wrong values and principles which are displayed through their deeds. I say all these things to make the point, that the display of violence in schools can only be stopped or significantly reduced if we change the quality of our upbringing of children thereby improving the quality of citizens that are produced. This would significantly reduce the strain placed on social services in this country and the judiciary because if children embrace violent

behaviour some of them become menaces to society when they become adults. Children need to be taught that they must not bully others and why. They must be taught how to deal with instances when they are provoked to anger. They must know that the best thing to do is to walk away from violent situations and report same to the relevant persons; parents or teachers. Additionally, a point I wish to note is the quality of content and information that we expose our children to. For example at a young age some children are allowed to watch content on television that is violent and not rated for their age. While among their friends at school they tend to want to perform the actions and stunts that they see which can cause injury to themselves and peers. Children must be allowed to be children and as they grow they are introduced to things which they can understand for their age. This might seem as insignificant to some readers but it (Continued on page 6)

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THE SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS OF GOVERNMENT DEAR EDITOR, The Granger ‘caretaker’ Administration and its cheerleaders have launched a campaign to criticize and denounce commitments to reopen the Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore Estates. In furthering their efforts, it appears to us, that the Government and a few of its mouthpieces are prepared to descend to lowest depths and to peddle clear falsehoods in what could be seen as a sordid effort to discredit such a laudable advocacy. It is hard to imagine that any Guyanese leader would actively engage in talk to deny our citizens an opportunity to earn a living, to feed their families, to send their children to school and to achieve their life’s aspirations. But then as we have come to learn, the current crop of Executive has broken the mould and not in a positive way. On many occasions, we have seen their unexplained and unjustified departure from time-tested and even lawful conventions and practices and some of their actions were only put right after judicial intervention. Of course the sugar workers, their families, their communities and their plight have never really been sympathetically addressed by our now-a-day Governmental leaders. Indeed, they have treated this group of Guyanese with utter contempt. It seems to be that the Coalition despises the sugar belt so much so that, seemingly, everything and anything will be furthered to trample on the well-being of those who are situated in the belt. For us, it is clear that the entire sugar policy of the Government was done with

one intention:- to punish the sugar workers, their families and their villages. The obviously glaring question is why? What have these people done to the big-wigs in the Government to be treated the way they are? What perceived crime did they commit to have one injustice after another perpetuated on them? Of course, the closest and clearest answer we believe came from Prime Ministerial hopeful and current Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. The erstwhile gentleman according to a December 07, 2018 DPI report in addressing the Opposition, let the cat out of the bag when he said “[y]ou wanted to employ your people because you are very strong in the sugar estate areas. It was jobs for the boys... so please don’t play to your base that we are the ones who are discriminating.” Mr Ramjattan’s utterances are similar to what unreleased, possible ducked, White Paper on Sugar which said that “[m]ost of the employees of GuySuCo are supporters of the Opposition political party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).” The reality, it appears, is that Government’s policy has no basis other than partisan politics. It is that crude way of thinking that is on display once again as the Government fights tooth and nail to denigrate just the suggestion of the re-opening of closed estates. The reality is that the estate closure shouldn’t have happened in the first place. The fact that it did only reveals, even more clearly, the short-sightedness that exists

in Government. It has also demonstrated, to us at least, that the Administration cannot really grapple with the manifold responsibilities of administering the State. Any Government, worth its salt, would have considered the industry holistically. They would not have restricted themselves to the realm of financial profits only. To do this is an absurdity. The sugar industry, as many including GAWU have pointed out, has to be seen from economic viability, which goes much deeper and wider than simply financial analysis. Certainly if the Administration were to adopt its sugar yardstick to other areas of the State, it may well find that certain government services are not financially viable. Would those services also be placed on the chopping block? We of the GAWU wouldn’t support such an approach recognizing the wider economic benefits of those services. The truth is when viewing the industry through an economic lens the argument for sugar ’s minimization becomes even weaker. Certainly the estates were more than just producers of sugar and molasses; they were the hive of activities and represented a beacon of sustenance and hope. Apart from being major employers, the e s t a t e s operation ensured that villages were drained thus preventing sickness and diseases and supported local farming activities. The consumption activities by sugar workers and their families sustained many businesses and vendors. Workers NIS deductions contributed to the

No Need for the President to Dissolve the National Assembly DEAR EDITOR, The Constitutional life of the National Assembly ended on 18 September 2019 as a result of the non-extension of its life by a two-thirds vote as required by the Constitution, for such extended period as determined by the National Assembly. What legal advice is given to the President on the life of the National Assembly? Many citizens reject the advice on this matter from the third rate lawyers in the Government from the PNC and AFC, including from the office of Attorney General, and the Office of the President The passage of the noconfidence vote in the Government on 21 December 2018, notwithstanding the costly frivolous and vexatious ap-

peal challenges in the Courts. The validity of no-confidence vote was affirmed by the Chief Justice in the High Court earlier, and by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on 18 June 2019, when the “90-day clock” started to tick again for the life of the Government until 18 September 2019, by which time the national and regional elections were constitutionally required to be held. There was no constitutional extension by the 18 September 2019; and as a Constitutional consequence, the National Assembly cannot be resurrected for dissolution, and the Cabinet, and the Offices of the Speaker, and Leader of the Opposition are functionally dead, to-

gether with the National Assembly. The Government is NOT observing the rule of law, and the Constitution. It seems not concerned, and carries on as usual, despite its constitutional care-taker status. The Government is unconstitutional and illegal, but it is confident that it will not be forced out of office It is widely known that Government has the loyalty of the army, police and the public service to maintain it in power at all costs. The country now has to endure the shame of this constitutional crisis created by Granger and his APNUAFC Government without public accountability. Yours Faithfully, Joshua Singh

viability of the Scheme. Rates and taxes payments to local authorities allowed those bodies to fulfill their mandates. The export from the industry brought in valued and valuable foreign exchange and assisted us to pay for our imports. They are among the several factors that the Administration disregarded, or palpably ignored, when it decided to close those estates. A December 08 newspaper article quotes the seldomutilized Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo as saying “…this government has been fair and compassionate…” to sugar workers. We ask how so? There was hardly any compassion shown when Nagamootoo and company put 7,000 persons out-ofwork and put tens of thousands into hard times in the Christmas Season? Even Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman recently said that “[t]his is not the time of the year that we should see workers going home…” Also, where was the fairness, when this Government denied sugar workers a pay rise? In fact, Mr Nagamotoo, who has the least responsibility of all his predecessors, is quoted by the newspaper to say “…the government cannot automatically intervene…” but it was the same Nagamootoo in another newspaper article on December 19, 2010 who said that “[t]he Government would do well also to explore all possibilities to give the sugar workers even a nominal wage increase. Zero is an insult, not an option.” The PM moved from the ridiculous to fiction when the Chronicle reports he said that some redundant sugar workers “…were also given plots of land to farm…” Where are the lands Mr Nagamootoo speaks about? Who were the workers that benefitted? What sort of activities have these workers ventured into? As far as we know, not even an inch of sugar lands were given to the displaced workers. Minister Trotman in the December 07 newspaper article deemed talk of re-

opening estates as “disingenuous”. But wasn’t it disingenuous when now Minister Ramjattan spoke at APNU+AFC Rally at Whim on March 29, 2015 and committed that the Coalition “…will not in any way close the sugar industry...”? Wasn’t it also disingenuous when candidate David Granger, according to a March 18, 2015 report, said “[w]e are not going to throw the sugar industry through the window”? Also, wasn’t it disingenuous when the APNU+AFC went into the sugar belt and promised workers 20% pay rise? Mr Trotman said”[w]ith oil coming, we will transition most if not all those workers in the sugar industry…”, but in the next breath we are told “[w]e had trained about 100 sugar workers…” So three (3) years after Wales closed its doors, and two (2) years after Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara ceased operation, the Minister admitted that one-seventieth of all who have been displaced were trained for the oil and gas sector. At this rate, it will take the good Minister the next 138 years before each worker is transitioned. And yet Mr Trotman wants to talk about disingenuousness. The newspaper also quotes APNU General Secretary, Mr Joseph Harmon as saying on the matter that “…it is not something that any right thinking Guyanese can take on face value.” Mr Harmon, we believe, should be the last to speak about taking things at face value. It was the same gentleman, when he was Minister of State, according to a November 16, 2017 report that said the “…closure of the Rose Hall and Enmore Estates will most likely take effect in 2018 since a system is not yet in place for the sugar workers following closure.” The APNU GS was quoted as saying “…the welfare of the workers is the primary consideration of this Administration and we will not see workers put on the breadline in that manner, without some recourse.” Of course mere days after Mr Harmon made those statements; the GuySuCo kicked the closure process

into high gear and began to inform workers they would not be needed any longer. Can we really take Mr Harmon at face value? The December 08 newspaper posits that “…the promised reopening of the estates makes no economic sense”. But we fail to see how the newspaper is really making any sense. The NIS in its 2016 Annual Report pointed out that the closure of the estates will “…have a material impact on the contributions receivable by the Scheme.” In 2018, on two (2) occasions – in May and October – the Government was forced to approach the Parliament for supplementary allocations to the NDIA in order for that body to cover the costs of the D&I responsibilities previously undertaken by the sugar industry. Of course, too the hardest hit has been the workers and their families who have been plunged into misery. Life for them has become surreal as the days have become harder. It is an uphill task to figure how to meet life’s ends. Certainly such factors make all the sense whether it is economic, social, human and even commonsense. There is no argument in our view. The fact that the Government has gone on the defensive on this issue is most telling. It appears to be mortally afraid of the reopening of the estates. We wonder whether there is more than meets the eye. Already we have learnt about plans to divvy up the sugar lands on the East Coast of Demerara. Is this a spoke in the wheel? But that aside, why doesn’t the APNU+AFC Government wants the 5,000plus of East Demerara, Rose Hall and Skeldon workers to be re-employed? Why should these people be denied their bread and butter? Why should their dreams be abandoned? Why should they not live a happy life? Certainly, in our view, they, like all Guyanese, are just as deserving. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

Children need to be taught that they... From page 5 is a very important point. There are parents today who are mothering and fathering children and leaving the teaching of proper core principles, values, soft skills and behavioural practices to teachers and the society at large. Sometimes I sympathise with the work that teachers and education officials have to deal with but I must say I am encouraged by re-

cent developments. For example, the continuous development of the welfare system with the acquisition of psychosocial units. It will be a gargantuan task but it can be much easier if all stakeholders, particularly parents and guardians to step up in the performance of their duties. Yours Sincerely, Leon Persaud

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Wednesday December 11, 2019

Union blames GGMC and NICIL for Rusals widespread abuse of Guyanese In recent years, a number of foreign investors have come under severe scrutiny for their operations. From the abuse of duty free concessions, to the treatment of workers and non-adherence to their investment agreement, the accusations have been tough going as Guyanese started to demand more accountability and returns. One of the companies that especially came in for flak was BaiShanLin, a Chinese company that had big plans for Guyana. It was granted billions of dollars in concessions, including on equipment and fuel. However, it failed to conform to the investment agreement by building a large processing plant in the Region 10 area. The Coalition Government in 2015 scrapped the agreement, ending, at least officially, the presence of BaiShanLin in Guyana. It had determined that the investor breached several areas of the agreement. Another company has also been coming under fire. The Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI), 90 per-

The Kurubuka mines area, Upper Berbice River, Region 10.

Union Leader, Lincoln Lewis cent owned by Rusal, the second biggest bauxite company in the world, is facing criticisms. With over 300 employees in its Region 10 operations at Kurubuka and Aroaima, the company has declared no profits for over decade, since coming here in the mid-2000. Yet it has been taking out bauxite by the boatloads and receiving fuel concessions by the hundreds of millions of dollars annually. According to union leader, Lincoln Lewis, the General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU), somebody has to take responsibility for not paying enough attention.

He insisted that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) must take blame in not doing enough to ensure Guyana is paid its dividends. The BCGI/Rusal example has raised alarming questions. GGMC is supposed to be at the very least monitoring to see the production levels of the company. At NICIL, that state entity is charged with managing the investment of the state. The people of Guyana, Lewis pointed out yesterday, own 10 percent of the BCGI. “Here is the situation. Year after year after year, you

are coming to NICIL and saying sorry, no dividends this year. For over a decade that happen. Yet, you found no problems with that. Yet you continue to give them the duty free tax concessions on fuel and equipment. What happened to the people of Guyana you are responsible to?” According to Lewis, whose union had a running battle with BCGI/Rusal, it is a fact that the main purpose of entities like NICIL and GGMC is to garner revenues and managing their activities to the benefit of the Guyanese people. “Where in this has the NICIL and GGMC proven that

it has done that? A company is here 10 years and operating and nobody is asking how come you are not making a profit yet surviving?” The disclosures have been making the news in recent years with BCGI/Rusal not worried. It has not been turning up at meetings with Labour officials and refused to engage the union. Throughout it all, it has remained silent on the accusations. Earlier this year, workers blocked the Berbice River after 90 of their colleagues were sacked for demanding better pay and conditions. In 2009, more than 50 workers were fired for taking

strike actions. That matter is unresolved. Over the weekend, representatives of Bosai Minerals, a Chinese company which has operations in Linden, visited the sites at Kurubuka and Aroaima. The union and workers have since called for answers. They want to know if BCGI is selling out and whether permission has been granted. The Guyana Revenue Authority had several weeks ago ordered the BCGI/Rusal officials to halt any attempts to sell its heavy duty trucks and other equipment. The equipment was brought from the Kurubuka location to Canje, Berbice.

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Guyana to update its National Trade Voir Dire ongoing in trial of man accused Strategy of dismembering US-based trader Professor Craig VanGrasstek of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University recently visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss ongoing efforts to update Guyana’s National Trade Strategy. The Ministry, in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), aims to develop a strategy that takes into account current developments in the domestic economy as well as in the multilateral trading system. By mid-2020, Professor VanGrasstek is expected to provide a broad trade strategy document that reflects Guyana’s national development vision. He assisted in the preparation of the current Professor Craig VanGrasstek meets with Minister strategy, which was completed of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings in 2003.

DEM BOYS SEH Eccles, Diamond, Sophia and La Parfaite Harmonie change Guyana map Lands and Surveys gun soon start mapping out Guyana. That mean tracing de boundaries and every river and creek in de country. De map gun tell everybody wheh all de mountains deh and how high dem high. De map gun know which land is fuh farming, which is swamp, and which is fuh agriculture. Is a big programme, but dem boys didn’t know until dem hear de price. Dem remember when De River Man eventually tell de people how much money Guyana get fuh a signing bonus, some people seh de money was too little. After hiding fuh tell de people, de River Man eventually seh how Exxon give Guyana US$18 million. Fuh map Guyana is ex-

actly US$18 million. Dem boys start to wonder if is de signing bonus money dem using to map Guyana. But then again, Greenidge seh how de signing bonus money helping to pay lawyers and dem odda expense fuh de court case against Venezuela. This is a real funny thing, because de mapping gun show Guyana’s boundaries just how dem deh now, wid de land that Venezuela claiming from Guyana. Is more than fifty years since anybody map Guyana. Since then dem have new villages. For example dem didn’t have Eccles and Diamond and Sophia. Now de map gun show these places wid big houses and nuff streets. Dem didn’t even have La Parfaite Harmonie and Belle West and places like that. Dem didn’t

even have de Harbour Bridge and de Berbice Bridge. This mapping gun be easier than de last one, because people don’t have to go and walk in all dem bush. Dem can use drones. That mean dem can sit down at one place and fly de drone to map out dem rivers and creeks. Dem boys want to know if when dem done it gun be like de States, wheh people can go to Google Maps and see de actual place. Dem can see de houses from any angle, even from de streets. Satellite can use GPS to carry people anywhere. Dem boys want to know if de same thing gun happen when de mapping done in Guyana. Talk half and check de new Guyana map.

A Voir Dire is in its final stages in the trial of 29-yearold Imran Ramsaywack, who is accused of the March 2015 murder of US-based Guyanese trader, Samantha Benjamin, whose dismembered body was found along the Annandale, East Coast Demerara foreshore. The Voir Dire is being conducted to inquire into the admissibility of a caution statement Ramsaywack is alleged to have given to detectives. It continues this morning, with closing addresses from State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs and Ramsaywack’s lawyer, Ravindra Mohabir. Ramsaywack also known as “Kevin Jones”, “Coolie Boy” or “Ramsa”, formerly of

MURDER ACCUSED: Imran Ramsaywack

DEAD: Samantha Benjamin

7 Adelphi Village, East Canje, Berbice, was arrested for the murder of Benjamin who was killed in a house at Middle Walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara on March 25, 2015.

The woman’s body was dismembered and subsequently dumped into the Atlantic Ocean. Her remains were discovered the following morning.

Prosecution to respond to submission of Acting Deeds Registrar As the trial continues for Acting Deeds and Commercial Registrar, Azeena Baksh, the prosecutor of her case is expected to respond to a submission made by the defendant’s lawyer - Nigel Hughes - that there is no-case against his client. Baksh was charged in May 2017 for allegedly obtaining monies by false pretence. She is before Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The charge against her states that while

being a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) between May 1, 2014 and January 31, 2017, with intent to defraud, she caused or procured valuable securities to the sum of $4,534,480 to be delivered to her Bank of Nova Scotia account #281469; or to her own use and benefit by falsely pretending she was a contracted employee of the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority. The Eccles, East Bank Demerara resident is currently on bail.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 11, 2019

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Buggery, noise nuisance and dancing Cabinet ministers If you follow football, you would know the name Gary Neville. He was one of the famous English names during his playing days. He is now a known football commentator. Neville said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson contributes to racist behaviour among spectators by his incessant negative comments on immigration. Neville’s remarks were made on Saturday, in 2019, but since two years ago,

Americans have been blaming President Trump’s racist tones for the deluge of White racist, far-right attacks on non-white Americans. When important actors – individuals, groups, organizations, institutions that have power, status and wealth are perceived by certain strata in society as hypocritical and uncaring, it lets loose anger and alienation that results in violent, twisted, dehumanizing behaviour.

Society loses its moral compass and the less educated, the less civilized, the less fortunate become beastly. In large nations with enormous populations, powerful people can get away with their hypocrisy because huge sections of the population hardly know what goes on in the central cities. Not so in countries with very small populations. In such places, there are no

secrets. Everybody knows everybody. The words immediately below are likely to bring out one of two attitudes in you. Either you will accuse me of embellishing this column for effect or you will say I am “bigging” up myself. The paragraphs to follow are about things that happened to me. The reason for this description is to emphasize the point that people in Guyana know who is who and

who does what to whom. I have the phenomenal experience of encountering dirty, smelly, half-naked homeless and really insane people by the road corners where I stop for the red light or on the seawall or walking on the roadways. Some of them would look at me and say, “Kissoon nuh”, or Freddie Kissoon nuh.” When you look at these people, you would think they don’t know where or what is Guyana, who or what is the Guyana Police Force, or who or what is a traffic light. But these types have recognized me on countless occasions the past umpteen years. They may be crazy and living on the streets, but they know what happens in the place they dwell. My point is that we are so tiny a population that even the homeless and demented ones living in another mental world have some knowledge of what goes on here. A 9-year-old is alleged to have buggered a 6-year-old. How do you explain this descent into nihilism in Guyana? Could it be that he was brought up in a home where his keepers were poor and helpless, and they witnessed the hypocrisy of those with power and wealth who should be the ones to look up to? Space will prevent a long discussion, so I will spend the rest of the column on what took place on Sunday morning from midnight to 2am on the car park of MovieTowne. There was an open air soca concert. It was advertised daily on radio stations for two weeks before Sunday. On Wednesday last, I called Assistant Commissioner Thomas, who is the commander for Region 4. He told me he knew nothing about such an upcoming concert, and that it is not the police that give

Frederick Kissoon permission, but a magistrate (see my column of Thursday, December 5, 2019 ‘Movie Towne, Guyana Carnival, a magistrate and a failed state’). After the publication of my column, I received some calls and email informing me that Mr. Thomas was not accurate. The magistrate only approves after the fire service and the police give endorsing statements. As the decibels were creating absolute insanity for nearby residents, I called Mr. Thomas at 1.30 am. I bluntly told him he misled me. He responded that it is a process. I kept asking him if his office gave permission. He kept saying it is a process. He said the music can only be stopped after 2am, because permission was given for 2am. I concluded my discussion with Mr. Thomas without knowing who gave the organizers permission to hold an open air concert at MovieTowne car park in a residential area where thousands of citizens live. At midnight, I received several calls informing me that ministers of the government were at the concert, imbibing and dancing. I live across the road from Movie Towne. I didn’t drive. I walked over. Ministers of the government that should show moral example by enforcing the anti-noise rules were indeed having the time of their lives. Do you understand now why the 6-year-old was allegedly buggered by a lad just 9 years old? (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Wednesday December 11, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 11, 2019

Tullow Oil shares slump as CEO resigns, dividend scrapped More than half of the value of Tullow Oil was wiped out yesterday as chief executive Paul McDade stepped down. The Africa-focused oil producer also scrapped its dividend after failing to meet production targets due to weak performance by flagship assets in Ghana, according to RTE news. Tullow has been plagued by technical problems at its Jubilee field in Ghana and a delay in completing a well at the TEN offshore field. Tullow, which had already cut its output estimates by 14% this year to 87,000 barrels per day (bpd), said its 2020 output would shrink further to a maximum of 80,000 bpd and fall again to around

70,000 bpd in 2021-2023. Tullow also suffered blows in recent months due to setbacks at East Africa projects in Uganda and Kenya where it is yet to reach final investment decisions. It also saw a setback to its plans to develop oil fields in Guyana, one of the world’s hotbeds for exploration, where oil it discovered was of a lesser quality than hoped. “The board has been disappointed by the performance of Tullow’s business and now needs time to complete its thorough review of operations,” Executive Chairman Dorothy Thompson said in a statement. Tullow’s director for exploration, Angus McCoss,

The unbelieving man can have no peace, and how can there be happiness for one who lacks peace of mind.

also resigned. Its shares were down over 70% yesterday, the company’s biggest daily loss since 2004. In a conference call, the company said it was open to receiving offers to acquire the company at the proper value. The firm also suspended its dividend, which it only reinstated this year after a hiatus since 2015, as it still focuses on reducing its debt pile. Tullow, which had a market cap of around $2.6 billion after the slump in its share today, expects it net debt to stand at around $2.8 billion at the end of this year, and $2.6 billion at the end of 2020. It did not change overall reserves estimates for its portfolio. Such downgrades can impact oil producers’ credit lines. Shares in Tullow’s partner in Ghana, Kosmos Energy, fell around

8.5%. Free cash flow is expected to come in at a minimum of $150m next year at an oil price of $60 a barrel, less than half of this year’s expected $350m. The group also slashed its capital expenditure programme and cut costs at its operating fields. Tullow has $300m in debt

due in 2021 and a further $650m in 2022. Tullow’s chief financial officer, Les Wood, said that the group was “comfortable” with its covenants with banks. He added he expected its debt to EBITDA, or core profit, ratio to stand at 1.8 to 2 times at the end of this year. Cantor Fitzgerald

Europe described the difficulties the company announced as “a bit of a kitchen sinking”. “Investors may well agree that a reset is the correct approach, although that is unlikely to prevent another huge sell-off today,” the financial services company said in a note.

Wednesday December 11, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday December 11, 2019

Exxon’s premature handout GECOM renews Lowenfield’s contract of contracts is “a breakdown

…Opposition-nominated Commissioners abstain The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has renewed the employment contract of its Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, for three years, as the current contract is coming to an end. A clause in the contract requires Lowenfield to notify the Commission three months prior to the expiration of the contract that same is imminent. And so he did. While the Chair, Justice Claudette Singh and the Government-nominated Commissioners voted in support of the renewal of Lowenfield’s contract, the Opposition-nominated Commissioners didn’t. Speaking to reporters outside the Commission’s Kingston headquarters last night, Sase Gunraj said that they felt it would be fitting to wait until after the March 2020 General and Regional Elections to judge the performance of the CEO. “I asked that the matter be deferred until after elections have been concluded, because I believe that the true test of the performance of the

GECOM CEO, Keith Lowenfield CEO would be these elections,” the Commissioner said. The Chair disagreed. Gunraj, along with Bibi Shadick and Robeson Benn, abstained from the vote. Vincent Alexander opined that it would not have been fair to let the CEO go into these elections with uncertainty about his fate in that post. “In fact, to re-appoint the CEO would give him the kind of environment for him to

proceed without [that uncertainty],” Alexander said. GECOM will meet again today to discuss how it will use the House to House data. So far, discussions have been inconclusive. The Commissioners will also seek to decide on how the Secretariat will list the names of persons who have not yet uplifted their identification cards, on the Revised List of Electors (RLE). The period for the uplifting of those has been extended indefinitely.

of process” – Robert Badal

Presidential Candidate of Change Guyana Robert Badal has opined that ExxonMobil’s handing out of contracts for works related to the development of the Payara oilfield constitutes a “breakdown of process”. He made the statement during a press conference yesterday at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston. The businessman, who is contending for the presidency in the upcoming General Elections, alongside running mate Nigel Hinds, is questioning why the oil major would go ahead with contracts before the Energy Department gives the goahead. “How can you move forward with a development plan and there’s no approval of the [field] development plan?” he asked. A field development plan is a layout of all of the processes and activities intended to develop an oil field, and the manner in which those will be executed. Before it begins to develop a field, an oil company is required to hand over its plan to the

‘Change Guyana’ Presidential Candidate, Robert Badal Department of Energy for approval before it gets to work. ExxonMobil has been telling the public that it intends to get approval for the project soon, but the Energy Department hasn’t even started the review process. It has placed on hold the third field development plan submitted by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and

its partners Hess Corporation and CNOOC. It is searching for a third party reviewer to hold its hand through the process. Though it has gained some experience during the review of the Liza1 and Liza-2 projects, it wants to ensure that the review is done right. Badal raised the matter of the costs that will be incurred from the development of the two approved projects. ExxonMobil and its partners on the Stabroek Block, Hess and CNOOC Nexen, are set to recover nearly US$10B in capital costs from the development of the Liza-1 and Liza-2 projects. The businessman said that, with such high costs, it is absolutely necessary for them to be verified by experts in the field, and that Government should not be allowed to commit the people’s money in an irresponsible manner. EXXONMOBIL POWERS AHEAD Early last month, ExxonMobil moved ahead with plans for the third Continued on page 15

Wednesday December 11, 2019

Kaieteur News

UNICEF to procure 10,000 HIV testing kits for Region Four - gesture to enable more persons know their status

UNICEF’s Irfan Akhtar As part of its blossoming relationship with the Regional Health Services Department of Region Four, the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund [UNICEF] has decided to purchase some 10,000 HIV testing kits for the region. This disclosure was made when Regional Health Officer [RHO], Dr. Quincy Jones, met with UNICEF’s Deputy Country Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Mr. Irfan Akhtar, recently. Akhtar said that his organisation is very pleased with the leadership that has been shown by the region through its Regional Executive Officer, Ms. Pauline Lucas, and Dr. Jones. The two have outstandingly managed several projects that were conducted in collaboration with UNICEF. According to Akhtar, the relationship continues to be strengthened, noting that the donation of the HIV testing kits is to ensure that some 10,000 persons within the region can know their status. He said that UNICEF is committed to supporting the region’s Regional Health Services Department in playing a pivotal role in ensuring that the issue of HIV is addressed. He disclosed that with persons knowing their HIV status, they would be better able to take appropriate action. Child Protection Officer of UNICEF, Ms. Patricia Gittens, described the relationship between both sides as being a ‘healthy marriage’. She said that both organisations have a common understanding, thus making projects and collaborations easy. “We at UNICEF enjoy a very healthy marriage with RDC Region Four and we will continue enjoying this marriage, as thankfully, we have a common understanding. The common understanding has made this marriage work, and we intend to keep this marriage working as long as possible,” Gittens said.

Dr. Jones said that he, along with his department, is elated with the donation. He said that the donation has saved the department a significant sum of money, noting that the vision is to continue providing a very high level of health services to Region Four. Meanwhile, Dr. Jones praised UNICEF and his REO, stating that REO Lucas continues to be receptive and supportive of projects and programmes being initiated by his department. According to him, it is because of Lucas’ openness and willingness to see continued growth and development that has caused UNICEF to forge such a close and useful relationship with the region. “UNICEF continues to play a pivotal role in the successes of the Regional Health Services Department of Region Four, and I must say that our REO has stood tall in ensuring that we remain successful. For this, we would like to say thanks to her, because she had been very supportive in every way,” Dr. Jones declared. Meanwhile, Lucas, in

commending UNICEF for its support, stressed the importance of persons being aware of their HIV status since, according to her, Guyana can ill afford to lose its human resources to a disease like this. She declared that with the testing kits, the Region will be in an even better position to help persons be cognisant of their status. “We would hope that once they become aware of their status that they would take appropriate actions and access medications where necessary,” Lucas said. She continued, “We at RDC Region Four are always open to collaborations and donations that will ultimately benefit the residents in this region, and I would like to commend UNICEF for continuing to take the initiative to forge relationships and collaborations like these. I am very pleased with the fact that some 10,000 persons would be able to know their HIV status and this augurs well for our region’s continued development as we move in to 2020,” the REO added.

Exxon’s premature handout of contracts... From page 14 Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel for the Payara Project. In a press release, SBM Offshore, a Dutch firm, announced that it was awarded a contract to perform works for the FPSO. Government and Public Affairs Advisor for ExxonMobil Guyana, Janelle Persaud, had told Kaieteur News, “As part of our preparations for the project, we have awarded an initial contract to SBM for a limited release of funds to begin Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) activities and secure a hull for the Payara project FPSO.” Lack of approval for the Payara Field Development Plan has not stopped SBM Offshore from continuing business as usual, issuing more contracts. This past week saw orders

placed for two hulls, for use in the construction of two new FPSOs. The deal was inked with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and Offshore and China Merchants Industry Holdings. These include the hull for ‘Liza Prosperity’ for the Payara Field and the other for a Brazilian Offshore development. It doesn’t stop there. ExxonMobil also recently gave Italian-based Saipem, a multi-million US dollar contract, for the subsea systems, for the still to be approved Liza Prosperity. According to reports, the company, before obtaining the necessary Government approvals and project sanction, had been directed through the contract to start ‘limited’ activities, namely detailed engineering and procurement.

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Wednesday December 11, 2019

Kaieteur News

Guyana elected chair of Group of 77 at UN Guyana has been elected chair of the Group of 77 (G77) at the United Nations. The backing has also come from China, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. At its November plenary, the 134 member states of the group elected Guyana by acclamation without pre-conditions. The countrys election follows a decision of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) earlier in 2019 to ensure that a regional candidate assumes chairmanship in 2020 of this largest negotiating group of developing countries in the United Nations. “Consequently, for its accession, Guyana received the unequivocal support of CARICOM and the majority of countries in the Group, including from Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America.” For Guyanas part, during its Chairmanship, which coincides with the United Nations seventy-fifth anniversary and its national Republic jubilee, the country is com-

mitted to endeavour to strengthen multilateralism for the benefit of all developing countries, including by presiding over global sustainable development and climate change negotiations, and efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Organization. “Guyanas election as G77 Chair has been hailed as a timely and fitting tribute to all Guyanese with recognition of the good standing and capacity of the country to effectively undertake responsibilities at the highest levels of the international community,” the ministry said. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, emphasized that “in keeping with its deep commitment to principled conduct and the rule of law, Guyana will discharge the important responsibilities of the Chairmanship of the G77 and China with integrity, faithfulness to the principles and objectives of the Charter of the United Nations.” Furthermore, Dr.

Guyana received the unequivocal support of CARICOM and the majority of countries in the Group

Cummings noted her countrys resolve to use the opportunity to further the interests of all developing countries. The duties of the Chairmanship will be discharged with the support of a range of bilateral partners and international organizations.

Team members will be drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other Government Ministries and agencies and from the Guyanese diaspora. Main activities of the group take place at United Nations Headquarters in New

York, while G77 Chapters are based in Geneva, Nairobi, Paris, Rome and Vienna, and the closely allied Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs and Development (G24) in Washington DC.

The official ceremony for the handover of the G77 Chairmanship from the State of Palestine which served in the capacity in 2019 to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, will be held on 15 January at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Iwokrama gives green light for Linden-Lethem Road project The Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) for Rain Forest Conservation and Development has given the Ministry of Public Infrastructure the go ahead for the Linden-Lethem Road project. The Ministry of Public

Infrastructure had been awaiting approval by the Iwokrama International Centre before any activities could have been undertaken, since part of the proposed area where works are to be conducted is primarily located in

the protected Iwokrama Forest. The Iwokrama International Centre was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest. The Iwokrama Act states: “Subject to Section 6 (1), and not withstanding anything in any other written law—(a) no mining, forestry or other resources utilisation activity shall be carried out on the Programme Site by any person other than the Centre, except with the prior written permission of the Centre; and (b) no lease of land or permission to use in the Programme Site shall be issued by any person other than the Centre, and all activities on the Programme Site shall be in accordance with regulation s p r e s c r i b e d therefore under this Act”. Previous concerns were raised as it relates to disturbing the habitat of some wildlife in the area, however, the Ministry indicated that the road project will foster development within the hinterland regions, reduce transportation cost, boost tourism, create employment and provide ease of access to Brazil. The bridge will be built at the Kurupakari crossing to link the Linden-Lethem road overland. The road project will be funded by a grant from the United Kingdom, supported by a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank.

Wednesday December 11, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Insufficient resources to monitor porous borders costing country billions - GRA Yesterday, Public Relations Manager of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Melissa Baird asserted that Guyana has lost and will continue to lose billions of dollars as a result of smuggling. Baird said that GRA does not have enough resources to monitor Guyana’s porous borders, which prevent it from raking in the billions that are being lost. The PR manager stated there is need for “a huge” investment in certain technologies that can enable its law enforcement officers to reduce smuggling activities. With the limited resources that the GRA has, it has still been able to increase the presence of its law enforcement surveillance and anti-smuggling units at some of the popular points of entries. These include the Lethem/ Brazil border and the Skeldon/ Suriname border. GRA had also established network surveillance with neighbouring countries in order to obtain information and track down large scale smugglers. However, the latter have become so smart that they find other points of entry, where GRA is currently unable to send its law enforcement units. Smugglers have also evolved over the years in terms of technology which aids them in avoiding the law. In its fight to clampdown on smugglers, GRA had initiated the use of Tax Stamps. These stamps are

Items seized recently at Mahaica. usually an adhesive label used to collect taxes on documents, tobacco, alcoholic drinks and many other things. Apart from this, GRA relies on tip-offs provided by persons who have knowledge of smuggling activities and smugglers. Recently, there were reports in the media of shootouts between smugglers and officers from the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU). In a case at Mahaica, a quantity of alcoholic drinks and chicken was seized.

Leonora hit-and-run victim identified Police have made headway in their quest to identify a man who was killed in a hit-and-run accident on the Leonora public road on December 1, 2019. The man was positively identified by family members as 39-year-old Romel Carter of 498 D’ Field South Sophia. Kempton Carter, the man’s brother, relayed that his sibling was last seen on November 30, 2019. “Somebody see the post on Facebook and they call we and tell we seh leh we go to the parlour and we see him and identify him…” According to him, they have little to no details on the accident, but learnt that the victim was struck by a motor lorry. Kempton Carter stated that police informed them that the driver was arrested but was released on $100,000 station bail pending court charges. “We want to know what

DEAD: Romel Carter happen when my brother dead… what he was doing or so, and if he was wrong, and they not telling we nothing, but duh is all we wanna know.” When contacted, a source close to the case disclosed that police are still conducting their investigations.

In another incident, chicken smugglers opened fire on CANU officers after they were caught transporting chicken illegally at Belfield Foreshore, East Cost Demerara. Over the years Guyana has been a port for contraband activities, ranging from the smuggling of fuel to the smuggling of gold. There have been many cases where gas stations have been placed on the radar for selling smuggled fuel. Even recently, residents of region one complained of how they are being exploited with high prices for gasoline sold by smugglers. Businessmen who pay taxes to import cigarettes and alcoholic drinks have also been affected greatly by the illegal activity. One man said that a lot of these alcoholic drinks and

cigarettes smuggled into country are sold at cheaper prices and create “stiff competition” for businesses who sell at higher prices because of the taxes paid. A source told Kaieteur News that many of these big smuggling gangs are powered by affluent businessmen from neighbouring countries. These men would provide the resources needed to locals such as boats, tugs, and also the supply of goods to be smuggled. The locals would then distribute these goods locally and take the revenue back to the foreign suppliers, where the profit would then be shared. It was also observed that unattended borders are also frequented by the “law breakers” in order to transport these untaxed “goods”.

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Wednesday December 11, 2019

Kaieteur News

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Drivers- with tractor, motor bus, minibus, must have all three licenses, preferably living around Georgetown. Tel# 641-5075/225-1429/6241147

Truck & Hauler drivers, Excavator operators, Engineers, Labourers, Security & Procurement Officers Accounts & Marketing Clerk. Apply @ chungsvacancy@yahoo.com Salesgirl needed (mature preferable) store at Gafoors Mc Doom. Tel# 638-1106 Cashier/Waitress, Assistant cook. Call: 225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street, next door to Survival Cashiers/Supermarket helpers, apply in person with written application @ Nirva Superstore, 49 Sheriff & Craig St. Tel# 227-5771 One (1) Clerk for TSI Eccles Industrial Site Office, English1 Mathematics -2, Quickbooks. Call: 615-9132 Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132 Room attendant, Door Staff, 25-50 yrs, 233 South Road, Lacytown. #225-0198

A Melanie, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident succumbed to his injuries yesterday morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital after his motorcycle collided with a car on the Non Pareil Public Road, East Coast Demerara last Monday. Police have identified the victim as 20-year-old Joel Sobers of Lot 4 Melanie, ECD. According to reports, around 16:30hrs on Monday, Sobers was travelling along the Southern side of the road on his motorcycle (CK 1683) while the car (PPP 1210) was proceeding east along the northern side. It is alleged that while the driver of the car was turning south across the public road, Sobers lost control of the motorcycle and collided with the car. According to sources, the young man was flung several feet into the air and landed some distance away from the public road. He sustained severe injuries to his head and other parts of his body. After the accident, Sobers

DEAD: Joel Sobers was picked up in an unconscious state by public spirited citizens and taken to the city hospital where he was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit. He later died without regaining consciousness. Sobers, who was described as a loving and caring individual leaves to mourn his mother and four siblings. His death has moved the road fatalities for 2019 to 117.

Wednesday December 11, 2019

Kaieteur News

Verdict looms for accused in night club murder The prosecution has closed its case in the trial of Shawn Harris who is accused of the February 05, 2017 murder of Sunil Singh who was stabbed to death at the Blue Martini Nightclub on Lamaha, Street in Georgetown. Singh, also known as ‘Grey’, 42, a homeless man, was killed while trying to prevent a robbery from happening at the nightclub. Reports surrounding the killing indicate that Singh wrestled a bandit and his accomplices to prevent them from carrying out an early morning attack at the night spot. It was then he was repeatedly stabbed about his body. At the time of the robbery, a police release stated that the three men had visited the club after a police patrol went to enforce the 2am curfew. Singh, after observing the men acting suspiciously outside the night club, alerted a bartender, who refused the men access to the club by telling them it was closed. An altercation ensued between the bartender and one of the men, who stabbed the bartender to his left arm. Singh intervened and was struck to the head. When the trial continued yesterday, the prosecution, led by State Counsel Shawnette Austin and State Counsel Sarah Martin, presented closing arguments in which they concluded that Harris is guilty of the crime. The prosecution spent much time recapping the evidence of eyewitnesses and CCTV footage obtained from the night club. In fact, in their submissions, the prosecutors argued that Harris stabbed Singh with the intent to kill or cause him serious bodily harm. And to support this contention, the jury was pointed to the fact that Singh was stabbed thrice about his body, with the fatal wound puncturing his lungs. This was supported by the testimony of Government Pathologist Nehaul Singh, who gave the man’s cause of death as perforation of the lungs due to stab wounds. Harris’s counsel Maxwell McKay also made closing submissions to the jury. Trial Judge Jo Ann Barlow will sum up the evidence in the trial next Monday, December 16 at 10:00hrs, before sending the case to the jury for deliberation on a verdict. Earlier this week, Police Inspector Prem Narine, one of the investigating ranks in this case, told the jury that Harris admitted to stabbing Sunil Singh. Inspector Narine told the court that on February 18, 2017, he went to ‘B’ Field

MURDER ACCUSED: Shawn Harris Sophia, Greater Georgetown where he contacted Harris, whom he had known for over a year. According to Inspector Narine, he put a murder allegation to Harris and cautioned him. He said that Harris then replied, “Sir when I reach the station, I gon tell you wha’ happen.” The police witness told the court that he noticed some wounds on Harris, and instead escorted him to the hospital. He said that Harris told him that he came about his injuries after falling down a flight of stairs at the Blue Martini Night Club. The police witness said that the murder accused was taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary Georgetown, where he agreed to give a s t a t e m e n t . Inspector Narine explained that Harris told him it was not a robbery, but a fight, after identifying himself on CCTV footage obtained from the nightclub. According to Inspector Narine, Harris told him “Yuh see wha’ I tell yuh? Is dem man attack me at the bar and I attack them.” It was then, Inspector Narine recounted, that the murder accused said that prior to going to the nightclub, he and his friends were drinking at Seeta’s Bar. Harris, Inspector Narine said, told him that when they arrived at the nightclub, there was no

one at the door so he and his friends walked in and were attacked by two men, including Singh. The witness recalled that Harris told him that one of the men, ‘Buck Man’, hit him with a baton. As a result, Inspector Narine said that Harris told him they ended up in a fight during which he pulled out a knife and stabbed Singh and ‘Buck Man’. The murder accused told the police witness that Singh ran out of the nightclub and onto a nearby street. He told detectives that he learnt of Singh’s death the following day. Also testifying was Police Constable Collis Duke. He told the court that during February 2017, he was stationed at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters and attached to the Crime Laboratory. Duke is a police photographer, fingerprint technician and crime scene photographer. According to him, on the day in question, he was performing duties when a request was made at the Brickdam Police Station, for ranks to visit the scene of an alleged murder at Blue Martini at Lamaha Street, Georgetown. Constable Duke said he armed himself with a digital camera and headed for the location. Upon arrival there, he said he took several photographs, among them being of the interior and exterior of the Blue Martini Nigh Club. The police rank also testified to returning to the Crime Laboratory where he printed the photographs. He said that some of them were handed over to another rank for them to be placed in the crime file, while he kept the remainder. Prosecutor Austin’s request for the photographs to be tendered and marked as an exhibit in the trial was accepted by the trial Judge. Thereafter, Constable Duke gave a brief description of what each photograph depicted.

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Lima man accused of dumping coke, driving away from police, remanded

Wednesday December 11, 2019

Operations at Leguan Stelling to recommence by Friday - Public Infrastructure Ministry The repairs are underway at the Leguan Stelling

The seized coke being tested

Police in Region No. 3 (PomeroonSupenaam) acting on information received on Monday, intercepted a motorcar at Charity, Essequibo Coast, about 13:20 hrs. However, seconds after, the vehicle sped away and the driver disposed of a bag through the front passenger side window. Police said that the bag was retrieved and the ranks pursued and arrested the driver a short distance away.

On examination of the bag in his presence, the police found it to contain two parcels of cocaine which when weighed, amounted to 2.5 kilograms.The suspect Dwayne Gildharie, 40, of Lima, Essequibo Coast, appeared yesterday at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison until January 7, 2020.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has advised in a statement released yesterday that the Leguan Stelling, which partially collapsed on Monday, will be back in operation by Friday (December 13) as emergency works have already commenced to renovate the section. General Manager of Transport and Harbours Department Marcelene Merchant had informed that rehabilitation works on the Stelling commenced days ago, to the tune of $413 million. Works were being done on the Stelling, at another section of the structure, at the time of the partial collapse on Monday, which resulted in a halt of operations in the best interest of the travelling public. The Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Jaipaul Sharma visited the Stelling yesterday to assess the works which commenced yesterday morning. He told the media representatives, “There was a report yesterday that a section of the Stelling had

collapsed. This is not surprising because of the conditions of the Stelling.” According to him, the contract for the rehabilitation of the Stelling was awarded back in August 2018, but due to a number of hiccups the contractor was mobilized and recommenced works only two months ago. Minister Sharma added: “This wharf was constructed some 15 to 16 years ago. You can see the force of the tide and in addition to that the deteriorated condition of the beams and piles caused by the salt water and barnacles. These conditions were overwhelmed when a canter that was over laden with paddy traversed the section. It actually drove on the side that was the weakest and that caused the collapse. In collapsing it broke a number of the beams, as a matter of fact all of the beams were broken...” As a result of the collapse, Minister Sharma explained that the contractor was forced to neglect his works and focus on the section that required immediate attention.

“We had initially said we were going to open up two grids, so if you notice there, those three rows of piles is the grid and two grids is going to be six piles. The extent of the damage is even wider than we thought, so we are now going to open the deckings to have access to the two other grids,” the Minister noted. He said that the contractor was hoping to wrap up works on that section of the Stelling by tomorrow (Thursday) to resume operations. However, after removing the deck, the damage was beyond expectations. With this in mind, Minister Sharma said he requested that a thorough rehabilitation be done to ensure that when traffic reopens on the Stelling, it is able to withstand the weight. In total, 156 timber piles will be driven. Minister Sharma has recommended that provisions be put in place to monitor traffic management and weight restrictions during the period of construction.

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Renovation of GECOMs guard hut expected to cost over $4M The National Procurement and Tender Administration publication considering the renovation is set to carry a hefty by the Ministry of Natural Resources, with the aim of bringing Board (NPTAB) yesterday opened 35 bids for nine major gov- cost of approximately $4, 461, 159 - as noted in the engineers transparency to the countrys extractive industries. The report ernmental projects. estimate. Another significant plan included the ---hiring of is also the global standard for good governance of oil, gas Not among them, but still noteworthy, is one for the reno- consultancy services for an Independent Administrator to and mineral resources. In August 2017, Guyana submitted its vation of the ---security guard hut at the Guyana Elections prepare Guyanas second Extractive Industries Transparency application to the EITI International Secretariat, and on October 25, 2017, Guyanas was officially accepted as an EITI-impleCommission (GECOM)s head office at 41 High and Cowan Initiative (EITI) report for the fiscal year 2018. The preparation of this second EITI report was initiated menting country. Streets, Kingston. This project caught the attention of this Ministry of Finance Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Procurement of two new motor vehicles The renovation of a security guard hut at Lot 41 High and Cowan Streets, Kingston

Construction of a lunch room at Lot 41 High and Cowan Streets, Kingston Dependents Pension Fund Electrical re-wiring to first floor

The renovation of a boat house at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara

Ministry of Communities Supply and installation of one new x-ray machine with computed radiology system

Ministry of the Presidency - Department of Environment (MoTP- DoE) Consultancy services for Independent Administrator to prepare Guyanas second EITI report for the fiscal year of 2018. Ministry of Agriculture - Fisheries Department Procurement of security services: Anna Regina Fish Culture Station at Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara Ministry of Business (retender) Consultancy services to conduct Energy Audits of the manufacturing value added wood, fruits and vegetables sectors on the Industrial Estates

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Chelsea hold on to qualify for last 16

Tammy Abraham has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season for Chelsea.

Over $200,000 in cash prizes for this Saturday’s Pool tourney at Jerry’s Bar Grand Central Sports Bar has set this Saturday as the day for a big Pool tournament that will be hosted at the Jerry’s Bar in Grove, East Bank of Demerara from 18:00hrs. The tournament, being sponsored exclusively by Team Mohamed’s Racing will be see $220,000 in cash prizes being doled out to the top performers. Males will pay $3000 to enter the tournament while all women will enter free with the chance of winning a top prize of $120,000 while the runner up will pocket $60,000 and third place will receive $40,000. This is the last Pool tournament of the year that will be coordinated by Grand Central Sports Bar.

BBCsport - Chelsea survived a late scare to move into the Champions League knockout stages with victory over Lille at Stamford Bridge. Frank Lampard’s side were in complete control for the most part and set up the victory they required with first-half goals from Tammy Abraham and Cesar Azpilicueta. Chelsea’s nerves were frayed when former striker Loic Remy pulled one back for Lille late on but they were able to close out victory to reach the last 16 after finishing a tough group in second place behind Valencia but ahead of last season’s semi-finalists Ajax. Abraham scored his 13th goal of the season after 19 minutes when he turned in Willian’s cross from close range while Azpilicueta headed in from Emerson’s corner 10 minutes before the break.

Lille, with nothing but pride to play for and with a much-changed team, barely threatened until Remy’s late strike but Chelsea saw out the win to complete the first phase of their Champions League assignment. Where Lampard must improve Chelsea - Lampard and Chelsea deserve great credit for navigating their way out of a dangerous Group H especially as the Champions League campaign opened with a home defeat by Valencia. Chelsea regrouped, struck gold with a crucial win away against Ajax and then earned another vital point coming from 4-1 down in the return game against last season’s semi-finalists at Stamford Bridge. It has been a good effort but Lampard will know as well as anyone that there are faults

which must be addressed before the tournament resumes with the knockout phase in February. Chelsea are full of flair and excitement going forward, led by the freescoring Abraham, but vulnerable at the back, as proved by those four goals conceded at home to Ajax and the number of chances conceded before drawing 2-2 in Valencia. And even here, where they were in cruise control for virtually the whole game, they had anxious moments at the end after Remy scored for Lille. It is in central defence where the uncertainties lie, deficiencies exposed in the Premier League as well as in Europe - and the evidence is already there that this soft underbelly will leave Chelsea in danger as they are on course to draw one of the Champions League elite.

The return of Antonio Rudiger after injury, starting his first game since September, at least gives Lampard the luxury of having his best defender available but the lifting of Chelsea’s transfer ban is very timely in the Champions League context. Chelsea will surely be looking in the central defensive area, although buying high quality in January is always made more difficult by others clubs’ reluctance to sell mid-season. Lampard will be well aware this is a weak link that will be ruthlessly probed if Chelsea are to drive deeper into this competition. Results from elsewhere: Napoli 4 KRC Genk 0, B Dortmund2 Slavia Prague 1, Inter Milan 1 Barcelona 2, Benfica 3 Zenit St Petersburg 0, Lyon 2 RB Leipzig 2, Ajax 0 Valencia 1.

Wednesday December 11, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19): You can’t help but speak your mind now. Anytime you hear someone declare something impossible, you want to confidently counter with a what-if scenario. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20): You possess the enviable gift of knowing how to persist in an ever-changing world. Chaos doesn’t suit you as you prefer to promote a peaceful personal agenda. GEMINI (May 21–June 20): Roaming through your imagination out loud might confuse your closest allies, not to mention those in your wider social network you are trying to impress. CANCER (June 21–July 22): You may be on the receiving end of an unexpected rush of flattery today, possibly leaving you flustered in your response. Instead of assuming people are trying to manipulate you with their compliments and praise, consider that they sincerely value your talents. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22): Put your inspiration for fun on cruise control today. Its possible to participate in profound discussions that reduce stress and actually infuse your life with pleasure. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): Enjoy a menu of challenges today. While others find countless reasons to complain, savor the delectable choices of how to perform various tasks. You crave efficiency, so think through your process before you start.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) : Experiencing bliss is not completely fulfilling today unless you also grasp the deeper significance of its source. An unsatisfied sense of curiosity lurks around every corner, motivating you to ask questions you might not normally ask. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): Passion starts with knowing your heart. From the deepest love to the slightest desire, the positive potential of the moment increases once you acknowledge what you truly want. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21): Take pleasure in honoring your highest intentions. Unfortunately, your thoughts often venture beyond what’s being asked. Your eagerness to expand into unexplored realms may pull you into an unscheduled adventure. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19): Your superhuman efforts leave your coworkers expectations in the dust. Nevertheless, you often undersell the results of your dedication. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18): Quitting the game is not a viable alternative. However, you need a break on occasion just like everyone else. Unfortunately, your desire for solitude may go unfulfilled today. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20): Your home is your sanctuary and a place to recharge your emotional batteries. Limits or doubts may align with negative thinking on the job today.

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Russian athletics champion blasts own sports authorities over Olympic ban Moscow (Reuters) Russian high jump world champion Maria Lasitskene yesterday accused her country’s own sports authorities of failing to protect athletes from the deepening doping crisis, in a rare public broadside at top officials. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Monday handed Russia a new, this time four-year, ban from top global sporting events, including the next summer and winter Olympics and the 2022 soccer World Cup, for tampering with laboratory data. The ruling means Russian athletes cleared to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will do so under a neutral flag. But Lasitskene and some other Russian track and field athletes face additional obstacles to being cleared for competition.

“I’ve already missed one Olympics and one and a half years of international competition,” Lasitskene wrote in an open letter addressed to Russia’s sports authorities. “And it seems that’s not the end of it. So who ultimately is to blame? Who’s going to give me back what I’ve lost?” she wrote in the letter published on Russian sports media outlet Championat.Com. Lasitskene, a three-time world champion, has in the past been critical of Russia’s athletics federation, which has been suspended for doping since 2015, and has been one of the few Russian athletes to voice her anger publicly. World Athletics, the global body governing athletics, last month halted the reinstatement procedures for Russia’s athletics

federation after its president and six others were provisionally suspended for serious breaches of antidoping rules. As a result of these fresh sanctions, World Athletics also said it was reviewing the process it has used in the past to clear some Russians, including Lasitskene, to compete internationally as neutrals. “Why have we arrived at a situation when an athlete is supposed to be delighted about getting neutral status?” Lasitskene wrote. “Was the sports ministry and Russian Olympic Committee really happy with the Russian athletics federation’s work?” The president of Russia’s Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, on Monday dismissed the sanctions against Russia as inappropriate and excessive.

Sri Lanka hold nerve to deal Windies second defeat North Sound, Antigua, CMC – Left-hander Sonal Dinusha displayed nerves of steel to deny a strong West Indies comeback, as Sri Lanka dealt the hosts their second straight loss of the Under-19 Tri-Nations Series here yesterday. In a nerve-jangling end to a dramatic run chase, Dinusha swept a full length delivery from off-spinner Matthew Patrick to fine leg for a single to lift his side past their target of 138, off the first ball of the 41st over at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. West Indies had looked a safe bet to pull off victory when they reduced the Sri Lankans to 101 for nine in the 32nd over before Dinusha, batting at number seven, produced a sterling unbeaten 46 off 63 balls with four fours to change the course of the game. Crucially, he anchored an invaluable unbroken 37-run, last wicket stand with Amshi De Silva (10 not out) which frustrated the hosts. He had earlier also featured in a 31run seventh wicket partnership with captain

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood.

Kevlon Anderson gathers runs during his top score of 43. CWI Media Nipun Dananjaya who struck 31 off 45 deliveries with three fours. Left-arm seamer Ramon Simmons led the West Indies fightback with three for 31 while pacers Jayden Seales (223) and Nyeem Young (2-37) finished with two wickets apiece. West Indies had only themselves to blame after they were held to 137 for nine off their 50 overs in an unflattering batting effort. Sent in, they crumbled to 67 for seven in the 34th over and needed middle order batsman Kevlon Anderson’s top score of 43 to rescue some pride. He counted a single four in an attritional 70ball knock, putting on 37 for the eighth wicket with

Ashmead Nedd who finished on 21 not out. When Anderson missed a heave at a full length delivery off Dinusha’s leftarm spin and was bowled in the 44th over, Nedd added a vital 33 for the ninth wicket with Seales who struck 23 off 27 deliveries. Leg-spinner Kavindu Nadeeshan claimed four for 20 – including Young (3) and Matthew Forde (0) off successive deliveries in the 34th over – while seamer Amshi de Silva picked up three for 18. West Indies have now lost two of their three matches in the tournament, following their defeat to England Under-19s on Sunday.

File Photo: Athletics Neutral athlete Maria Lasitskene competes. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo

Liverpool beat Salzburg to progress as group winners BBCsport - Defending champions Liverpool reached the Champions League last 16 as Group E winners thanks to two second-half goals against Red Bull Salzburg. The Reds, who needed at least a point to progress, were on the ropes at times against attacking opposition. But from the moment Naby Keita headed in Sadio Mane’s cross, there was only going to be one winner. Mohamed Salah clinched victory 100 seconds later with an excellent finish from a tight angle. Jurgen Klopp’s side needed the three points to top the group because Napoli beat Genk 4-0. The Reds will discover their Champions League last-16 opponents in Monday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland (11:00 GMT). Real and Atletico Madrid are both possible opponents. Salzburg, who had scored 87 goals in 24 games before

this, drop into the Europa League last 32. Their 19-yearold striker Erling Braut Haaland had chances to score but failed to become the first player to score in his first six Champions League appearances. Liverpool had hoped to have sealed their last-16 place before the final group game but they came to Austria needing a point against a side who pushed them all the way in a 4-3 thriller at Anfield. Salzburg started at an electric pace, with Virgil van Dijk having to stop Haaland from having a one-on-one with Alisson after 15 seconds. There were nine shots on target before the break - the most in the first half of a Champions League match without there being a goal since Schalke v Manchester United in April 2004. Alisson needed to make six saves in the first half, although Liverpool arguably

had the best chance when Salah shot wide from close range when completely unmarked. The Egyptian also fired over the bar from eight yards after the restart. Two shaky moments from Salzburg keeper Cican Stankovic eventually settled the game. He rushed off his line to try to take the ball off Mane, who was able to cross for Keita to head into an empty net - both former Salzburg players. And less than two minutes later he again left his goal unguarded, with Salah going round him before somehow finding the net with his right foot from a tight angle outside the box - a chance much harder than many of the eight shots he failed to score with.They never looked back after that and kept a second clean sheet in a row, having conceded in each of the 13 matches before that.

Mohamed Salah scored a right-footed goal from outside the box for the first time since moving to Europe from Egypt.

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NBA roundup: Kings’ Bjelica beats buzzer to stun Rockets Field Level Media Nemanja Bjelica drilled a 3pointer at the buzzer, and the Sacramento Kings claimed a 119-118 victory over the host Houston Rockets on Monday. Bjelica drilled a 33-footer off an inbound pass from Cory Joseph to answer a driving layup from Rockets guard Russell Westbrook on the preceding possession. Bjelica scored over PJ Tucker to cap his 17-point performance as the Kings finished 20 of 45 from behind the arc. Westbrook scored a season-high 34 points, primarily on driving layups as the Kings offered scant rim protection. His basket countered a game-tying 3pointer from Kings guard Buddy Hield (team-high 26 points), whose trey matched a 3-pointer from Ben McLemore with 22.7 seconds left. The Rockets had won 18 of 20 meetings against the Kings, who received 19 points and eight rebounds from Harrison Barnes. James Harden paired 27 points with 10 assists for the Rockets while Tucker grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds. Detroit Pistons 105 - New Orleans Pelicans 103 Derrick Rose scored a team-

high 21 points, capped by a last-second, game-winning jumper as Detroit won at New Orleans. The Pistons inbounded the ball with 14.7 seconds left and cleared out for Rose, who dribbled down the clock, penetrated and hit a jumper from just inside the foul line. The Pelicans called timeout with 0.3 seconds left, but their subsequent pass was deflected, and they lost their ninth straight game. Langston Galloway added 16 points, Luke Kennard scored 14 and Andre Drummond had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Detroit. Brandon Ingram scored 31 and Jrue Holiday scored 20 to lead New Orleans. Milwaukee Bucks 110 Orlando Magic 101 - Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as Milwaukee extended its NBA-best winning streak to 15 games with a victory over visiting Orlando. Khris Middleton scored 20 points and Donte DiVincenzo added 12 as the Bucks improved to 11-1 at home and matched the Los Angeles Lakers for best record in the NBA at 21-3. Evan Fournier scored 26 points and Terrence Ross added 23 as the Magic saw

their season-best four-game winning streak come to an end, but not before putting together a late run. Toronto Raptors 93 Chicago Bulls 92 - Pascal Siakam scored 22 points, and visiting Toronto overcame an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Chicago and end a three-game losing streak. Kyle Lowry added 11 points and made the go-ahead layup with 50.9 seconds remaining for the Raptors, who have won 11 in a row against the Bulls. Norman Powell had 17 points, Serge Ibaka had 11 points and 14 rebounds, and OG Anunoby scored 10 for Toronto. Zach Lavine scored 20 points — all in the first half — and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Bulls, who have lost three straight. Boston Celtics 110 Cleveland Cavaliers 88 Kemba Walker scored 22 points, Gordon Hayward had 14 in his return from a hand injury, and Boston beat visiting Cleveland. Jaylen Brown added 20 points, Jayson Tatum 19 and Daniel Theis 10 as all five Celtics starters scored in double figures. Boston improved to 10-0 at home and won for the sixth time in its past seven games.

Rapinoe wins Sports Illustrated’s top prize to cap stellar year

U.S. soccer player Megan Rapinoe poses as she arrives for the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Awards in New York City, New York, U.S. December 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Segar New York (Reuters) - Megan Rapinoe collected another accolade in a stellar year by claiming Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year honor on Monday for her performance

on the U.S. women’s World Cup-winning soccer team and for her campaigning off the field. Rapinoe rocketed to household fame this year, taking home the Golden Boot and Golden Ball from the World Cup as top scorer and best player, as the U.S. retained the trophy and on the way became advocates for gender pay equity in sport. The midfielder also picked up the prestigious Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best female player. “Choosing Megan as the Sportsperson of the Year was an easy decision,” Sports Illustrated’s co-editor in chief Steve Cannella said in a statement. “She is a force of nature on and off the field, a trailblazing soccer player who also proves every day how large and loud a voice a socially conscious athlete can have in 2019.” The 34-year-old Californian and her team mates sued the U.S. soccer governing body in March for gender discrimination, arguing they had been paid less than the men’s squad and were provided inferior working conditions. Mediation between the two parties fell apart in August, leaving a cloud over the team’s Olympic preparations with a trial date in looming in May. They face qualifying matches for the 2020 Tokyo Games beginning next month, in a fight for redemption after a disappointing showing at the Rio Games. Sports Illustrated previously gave the Sportsperson of the Year prize to the 1999 U.S. women’s national team, who won the World Cup, but Rapinoe is the first individual soccer player to receive the honor since the award was first given out in 1954.

Sacramento Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica (88) shoots against Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the second half at Toyota Center. Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports. Jordan Clarkson had 19 points and Tristan Thompson 17 for the Cavaliers, who lost their seventh straight and fell for the 13th time in their past 14 games. Los Angeles Clippers 110 - Indiana Pacers 99 - Paul George made seven 3pointers to highlight a 36point performance against his former team as Los Angeles held on to beat Indiana in Indianapolis. George was booed by the crowd in his third game back at Bankers Life Fieldhouse after requesting a trade from Indiana, with which he spent his first seven NBA seasons. George was sent to Oklahoma City in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis in July 2017 before the Thunder traded him to the Clippers in the latest offseason. Montrezl Harrell had 26 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who played without Kawhi Leonard (left knee soreness). Leonard sat out the latter half of a backto-back set with a Wednesday showdown looming against his former

team in Toronto, marking his first return to the city since he led the Raptors to the NBA title in June. Oklahoma City Thunder 104 - Utah Jazz 90 - Dennis Schroder scored 27 off the bench to lead Oklahoma City to a win over Utah in Salt Lake City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 20 points and Chris Paul had 16 points and seven assists for the Thunder, who overcame 26 points from Utah’s Donovan Mitchell. The Thunder played without a pair of starters. Terrance Ferguson missed his third straight game due to right hip soreness while Danilo Gallinari missed a game for the first time this season after sustaining a left ankle sprain. Phoenix Suns 125 Minnesota Timberwolves 109 - Devin Booker had 26 points and three 3-pointers, and Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 24 points on his 24th birthday as host Phoenix pulled away from Minnesota. Dario Saric had 20 points and was a rebound short of his fifth double-double in the

last eight games, and Ricky Rubio added 16 points and 14 assists for the Suns, who beat Timberwolves for the second time in 17 days to get within one game of .500. Karl-Anthony Towns had 33 points and 15 rebounds, Andrew Wiggins put up 23 points, and Jeff Teague had 16 points and four assists off the bench for the Timberwolves, whose season-high losing streak reached five games. Memphis Grizzlies 110 Golden State Warriors 102 Memphis used six 3-pointers to bolt to a 24-11 lead in the first 7:19 of the game, then never trailed thereafter in a victory over Golden State in San Francisco. Rookie star Ja Morant returned from a four-game layoff caused by back spasms to lead the way with a game-high 26 points and seven assists. He helped the Grizzlies win for just the second time in their last 10 games. D’Angelo Russell and Alec Burks shared team-high scoring honors for the Warriors with 18 points.

Aliann Pompey elected new President... From page 43 a lot of work and I quickly realized that once we went through the timeline and what’s expected in the upcoming years, but I think we are a very collaborative group and with everyone working together we will do great things.” Pompey, Escobar and Santiago are joined on the Athlete Commission by new Members Isabel Swan (BRA - Sailing), Melissa HumanaParedes (CAN - Beach Volleyball), Paola Longoria (MEX - Racquetball), Tony Azevedo (USA - Water Polo) and Amber Joseph (BAR - Cycling). The new Members will stand on the Athlete Commission until the 2027 Pan American Games, while Pompey will serve as President through the Santiago 2023 Pan Am Games. “We are all thrilled to be on the Panam

Sports Athlete Commission because it’s a way for us to have meaningful impact in our sport and region outside of actual competition. I have and continue to learn so much, it’s truly an enriching experience. In a few short years we’ve experienced the commitment of the Panam Sports Executive staff to the Commission in making sure the athletes’ voice has infiltrated pretty much all of their operations,” Pompey added. Panam Sports congratulates Aliann Pompey on her election as the President and look forward to working with her more closely over the next four years to ensure the athlete voice is always considered in all decisions by Panam Sports. Aliann Pompey will sit in on her first Executive Board meeting on December 15 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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Wednesday December 11, 2019

Kaieteur News

Showtime! Our World Champions in Mega-T20I in Mumbai It is being billed as one of the biggest T20 Internationals of the decade! Our world champions West Indies (Men in Maroon) will face home team India (Men in Blue) in the grand finale today in Mumbai. First ball is 7pm (9:30am Eastern Caribbean Time/8:30am Jamaica Time). With the game being played at prime time the estimated television audience could reach close to 150 million viewers worldwide. It comes down to winner-takeall as the three-match series is locked 1-1 – India won the first match in Hyderabad in a high-scoring run chase, while our boys bounced back to secure a great win by eight wickets on Sunday in Thiruvananthapuram. So get ready for what promises to be a memorable showdown at the famous Wankhede Stadium – one of the iconic venues in world cricket. The ground has a capacity of close to 35,000 and tickets have been selling rapidly. West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons said the team is ready for what is ahead of them. “We are ready. You can see we are ready. We have prepared well and everyone is up for this challenge. We made a big score in the first match and lost, then we followed up with another very good performance to get the win. So, you can see we are focused and clear what we want to achieve, he said. The coach was speaking after Tuesday’s training session on a humid morning

Team West Indies in a huddle.

in the bustling metropolis. The last time the two teams met at this venue was the semi-final of the ICC World T20 2016 – which West Indies won – before going on to beat England in the memorable final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. “A lot has happened since then when we won that semifinal on a famous night right here… but I think we are confident because of the way we have played in the two games here. The way we prepared, the way we have

been playing, that gives me and the players a lot of confidence. I think the series against Afghanistan helped because we have been here for a long time. We kept the white-ball players here even though there was a Test match on and that worked well as they had great training in these conditions,” Simmons said. West Indies have brought their amazing power-hitting strength so far in the series – with 22 fours and 27 sixes. Opener Evin Lewis has been

dynamic in both matches with two scores of 40, while veteran Lendl Simmons exploded in the second contest with a match-winning half-century – his second

against India in India. He has found memories of the ground having made a 82 not out in the epic World T20 semi-final heist back in April, 2016. “I think you have got to

be prepared at the beginning for doing either one of them – bat or bowl first on this pitch. If you win the toss you are prepared to do good, whichever one we decide to do. You can lose the toss. I don’t worry about the toss too much,” Simmons said. A sub-plot in the match is the ongoing rivalry between West Indies seamer Kesrick Williams and India’s captain Virat Kohli. “The banter has been good, it has been interesting because they are 1-1 now because Virat got Kesrick in the first match and Kesrick got him in the second. Let’s see who wins it tomorrow,” Simmons said. West Indies (probable): 1 Lendl Simmons, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Brandon King, 4 Shimron Hetmyer, 5 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 6 Kieron Pollard (capt), 7 Jason Holder, 8 Khary Pierre, 9 Kesrick Williams, 10 Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Hayden Walsh Jr. India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 Rishabh Pant (wk), 5 Shreyas Iyer, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal.

Rio Indoor Championship

Sparta Boss confident of taking care of Gold is Money in semi final Sheldon Shepherd, Captain of Sparta Boss said that his side is focused and prepared for the semi-final encounter with fierce rival Gold is Money in the inaugural Rio Indoor Championship, which is slated to be held at the National Gymnasium on December 14th. This was disclosed following an official release from the tournament Coordinator Three Peat Promotions. According to Shepherd, “This is a good game; last time we played we won 4-3 so they will be coming hard at us. We are not taking them lightly; we take every game and every team very serious which is normal for us.” Sparta sealed their place in the semi-final after defeating BV 4-2 in extra time of their quarterfinal encounter. On the other hand, Gold is Money battled past Leopold Street 3-2 to seal their place in the final four section. Shepherd stated that the tournament is highly coveted, adding, “This is the first time that street-ball is playing for one million dollars so everyone wants to win. They

Sheldon Shepherd are four good teams left and everyone will come out for the win, everyone wants that title.” He further added the team is unafraid of opposition once successful in the semi-final round, adding, “We know Bent Street, we are not pointing a finger at anyone. We will handle anyone who we will have to play once we make the final.” According to the release, “The semi-final matches are expected to humdingers given the quality of the sides

that will be competing for a place in the grand finale. The matches will simply build on the quality that was exhibited at the quarterfinal stage so the spectators will certainly be thrilled with the exciting play that will be on show.” The correspondence further added, “The four teams that remain are easily the best sides at the moment, with many of them having traditional rivalries which add to the drama of the tournament. Sparta Boss, Gold is Money and Bent Street are national heavyweights in this arena while debutants Rio AllStars have displayed their championship credentials and will be a force to be reckoned with in the immediate future.” The second semi-final match will pit Bent Street against newcomer Rio AllStars. The finals and 3rd place playoff will also be staged on the same date. Winner of the event will pocket $1,000,000 and the championship trophy, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will collect $400,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.

Wednesday December 11, 2019

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Kaieteur News

Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers School League

Saints get first points; Marian move to third as tourney concludes today The curtains will fall on the second annual Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers Schools Football League this afternoon at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Training Center (NTC) at Providence with a ultimate league clash that will be a virtual final between points leaders Lodge Secondary and defending champions, Annandale Secondary. Lodge, that finished just

behind Annandale in the inaugural tourney have a two point advantage over the 2018 champions heading into today’s match that is scheduled to kickoff at 16:30hrs so only a loss would see them being usurped from the top of the points table. What is certain is that positions one and two in the ten-team league has been secured by the front runners while Marian Academy’s 2-1

win over Charlestown Secondary yesterday puts them in third with 17 points. However, if The Bishops’ High School, currently in fourth can get three points against the President’s College in today’s opening clash at 15:15hrs, they will finish ahead of Marian Academy on goal difference for third place. On the score sheet for Marian Academy’s close win

against Charlestown were Allister Phyll in the 16th minute and Randy Hamilton four minutes into the second half after Jason Getrouw had equalised for Charlestown in the 18th minute of the clash. It was a strong finish to the tournament for St. Stanislaus College as they needled Cummings Lodge in their final match yesterday courtesy of a poacher’s goal from Jodel Fernandes that was

sneaked in following a rebound from a set piece. Fernandes’ 17th minute strike eventually saw Saints picking up their first three points in the league under Coach Uzzi Yisrael after losing all eight of their previous matches. The Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers Schools’ Under-18 Football League is also supported by Ansa McAl Trading Ltd. (Calvin Chapman story and photos)

Saints’ goal scorer Jodel Fernandes

Marian Academy defeated Charlestown (centre) 2-1 yesterday to go third in points standing.

Chandrapaul Sukhu and Malinie Shiwcharan cops GMMKA Students of the Year at Annual Awards Chandrapaul Sukhu of the Iron Fist Marital Arts Academy and Ms Malinie Shiwcharan of the Red Dragon Marital Arts Academy copped the Best Students Awards when the Guyana Mixed Martial Karate Association (GMMKA) held it’s Annual Awards Ceremony, recently. Students and executive members were given awarded for their outstanding achievements throughout this year in the following categories, Most Outstanding Students, Most Disciplined, Most Improved, Most Hardworking, Most Attendance, Most Reliable, Students of the Year and Appreciation. Mr. Omesh Kissoon of the Vreeden-Hoop Marital Arts Academy, Mr. Dominique Doodnauth of the Invisible Kicks Marital Arts Academy, Mr. Troy Harris of The Alberttown Marital Arts Academy and Master Lloyd Ramnarine have all expressed gratitude to everyone for their hard work and support throughout the year. They are also encouraging everyone to continue living the martial arts way of life and wish everyone more success in the New Year.

Awardees take time out for a photo at the Guyana Mixed Martial Karate Association recent Annual Awards Ceremony.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 11, 2019

Torginol Paints Inc. backs KMTC Boxing Day Meet The Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) has gained the backing of Torginol Paints Inc. for the staging of its annual Boxing Day Meet which is set for Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne. At a simple ceremony held at the entity’s Industrial Site location yesterday, Torginol Paints Inc. Office Manager, Ravi Brijnandan presented a cheque and a trophy to Chairman of the KMTC, Cecil Kennard. This sponsorship will go towards the H and Lower event which covers a distance of seven furlongs and carries a top prize $250,000. The runner-up in this race will take home $125,000, third place $63,000 and fourth place $32,000. Brijnandan indicated that Torginol Paints Inc. has always been a partner with KMTC Meets and they will continue to support the club. “This has gone back as far as I can remember, in fact, about five to six years ago the club took the initiative to recognise its long standing sponsors and I was there to receive an award on behalf of Torginol Paints Inc. This shows the long standing

relationship that our company has with KMTC and our sponsorship for this event keeps increasing each year,” he added. He wished the club success in the upcoming meet and future events. Kennard expressed gratitude to Torginol Paints Inc. which is a member of the Continental Group of Companies. He noted that this is their biggest Meet for the year and said that sponsorship is important for the successful hosting of any sporting event. Kennard stated that the club has spent $7m to renovate the track and fans can expect some exciting action. Seven events have been carded for the day with the feature race being the Metro Million Mile which is open to all horses, with the winner taking home $1,000,000, runner up $500,000, third place $250,000 and fourth place $125,000. Other events listed are LNon Earner for a distance of five furs and carries a top prize of $130,000 and the runner-up $65,000. Two-year old Maiden for a distance of six furs and will see the champion pocketing $200,000 and the runner-up

Torginol Chairman of the KMTC Cecil Kennard (left) accepts the trophy and cheque from Torginol Paints Inc. Office Manager Ravi Brijnandan in the presence of other representatives of the sponsors. $100,000. L-Non Winner for a winning purse of $150,000 and second place $75,000; J and K Lower which will see

the winner receiving $200,000 and the runner-up $100,000, and L-Open in which the winner will take home

$170,000 and second place $85,000. Entries will be closed on December 16. The races will be run

under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and no late entries will be accepted.

Gold is Money take Champion of Champions 2 Dominos crown Gold is Money chalked up 82 games to win the final of the Champion of Champions 2 Dominos competition which culminated recently at All Season’s Sports Club, Ogle. Clearance Whitehead made the maximum of 18 games for the winners while John Chance supported with 17. OPKO took the second place tallying 79 games with Dexter Sue and Paul Rahaman scoring 17 and 14 games respectively. Phantom placed third on 60 games; Ronald Charles made 16 games and Orin Sandy 14. Whitehead was named man-of-thematch. Earlier, Gold is Money, OPKO and Phantom registered victories in their respec t i v e m a t c h e s t o advance to the final. Gold is Money marked 84 games to beat All Season’s Angels a n d G a n g s t e r. S h a w n Morgan and Clearance Whitehead made 17 games each for the winners while Ron Callendar scored 16 and Barbara Marshall got 15 for All Season’s Angels.

Shellon Collymore marked 16 and Sevens Collymore 14 for Gangster. OPKO posted 80 games to win their eliminator against Fresh Cash with 77 and Providence on 70. Clive Xavier made the maximum 18 games while John Clarke contributed 16 for the victors while Ewie Gordon and Leroy Edwards made 15 apiece for Fresh Cash; Junior Smith and Ian Davis were Providence leading players with 17 and 16 games respectively. Phantom chalked 85 games to emerge winners in their contest against Big Boss 83 and Mix Up 79. Frank Solomon led the scoring for Phantom with 16 games while Orin Sandy made 15. Big Boss were spearheaded by Loraine Reid with 17 and Charlene Barnwell 15; Gilbert Mendonca and Navin Singh scored 15 and 14 games in that order for Mix Up. Gold is Money received a trophy and $150,000; OPKO collected a trophy and $75,000 and Phantom a trophy and $50,000.

The victorious Gold is Money team with their hardware.

Wednesday December 11, 2019

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Kaieteur News

BCB/Banks Beer two-day Tournament

Albion, Young Warriors and RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour win outright Most Sports Organisations in Guyana have already closed off for the year but the cricket season in Berbice continues to be action packed as the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) pushes ahead with its crowded 2019 season. The BCB on Saturday last hosted the second leg of the historic Banks Beer two-day first division tournament as team’s battle for a place in the semifinals. Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour, Albion CC and Young Warriors CC registered outright victories while Tucber Park picked up first innings points. RHT Namilco Thunderbolt and Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC) are expected to advance from Zone B while YWCC and Tucber Park are ahead in Zone A. At the Area ‘H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town, the home team defeated Port Mourant

Leon Andrews by an innings and 135 runs. Port Mourant batting first was bundled out for 62, Michael Fraser top scoring with 24 not out. Fast bowler Sylus Tyndall took 5 for 8 while Skipper Eon Hooper took 3 for 10. RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour then rattled up 252 for 6 declared with West Indies

emerging player Kevin Sinclair 70, Delbert Hicks 67 and Jason Sinclair 41, the principal scorers; medium pacer Joshua Ramsammy took 4 for 74. With a deficit of 190 runs, the visitors were dismissed for 55 in their second innings which handed Berbice top first division team an outright win. Ramsammy returned with the bat to score 31 as spinners Kevin Sinclair 4 for 26, Keith Simpson 2 for 4 and junior Sinclair 2 for 6 bowled well. The powerful Albion Community Centre Cricket Club also enjoyed a good game, national players Devindra Bishoo, Veersammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie all making a welcome return to first division cricket. Batting first after losing the toss, Albion blasted their way to 350 for 6 and in the process obtained the maximum four batting points. Kandasammy Surujnarine slammed 106 and Sharaz

Ramcharran 90 while Rajiv Ivan and Motie were unbeaten on 61 and 52, respectively. Zaheer Hussain took 3 for 64 for the home team, which in response were bowled out for 70; only Michael Veersammy reached double figures with 27. West Indies spin twin of Devindra Bishoo 4 for 6 and Veersammy Permaul 4 for 45 were the main wicket takers. Batting a second time and facing a deficit of 280 runs, Canje were sent packing for 64 with the main wrecker being Bishoo who snared 5 for 11 to complete a match haul of 9 for 17. Permaul supported with 3 for 42 as Zaheer Hussain and Kedar Amsterdam top scored with 19 and 14, respectively for the home team. Young Warriors CC registered their first victory in the competition, defeating West Berbice by 10 wickets at the Cumberland Ground in

Bounty Farm boost for Timehri Panthers ahead of GFF Super 16 opener on Sunday

Devendra Bishoo East Canje. West Berbice batting first was bowled out for 124 with Akeem Blackman and Kareem Mentore both making 21. Left arm spinner Trevon Stanislaus continues to impress with the ball taking 5 for 42 while medium pacer Suresh Dhanai took 3 for 22. The home team in response reached 241 all out with Linden Austin 53, Carl Gilgeous 38, Suresh Dhanai 30 and Vishal Mohabir 30. Leon Andrew took 6 for 35 while Jayden Samuels had 3 for 41 being the visitors best bowlers. West Berbice batting a second time and facing a deficit of 117 were dismissed for 187 despite a brilliant 119 from former Berbice player, Leon Andrew who tore into the home team bowlers. Suresh Dhanai completed a good all-round match with 4 for 42. YWCC required 71 runs in the last hour in fading light but blasted their way to 75 without loss in 10.3 overs; Ricardo Ramdehol 32 and Alex Algoo 30 leading the victory charge.

At the Cotton Tree Ground on the West Coast of Berbice, Tucber Park gained first innings points from Blairmont in a game affected by overnight rain on both days. Blairmont won the toss and inserted Tucber Park which reached 264 all out. Quacy Mickle led with 76, Brandon Corlette 54 and Nial Smith 50 the best batters, leg spinner Kevin Jawahir 5 for 82 and national youth spinner Nigel Deodat 3 for 56 were the best bowlers. The home team conceded a first inning lead of 92 after being bowled out for 172. Batting for Blairmont, Kevin Jawahir 33, Seon Glasgow 32 and Javid Karim 20 were the principal scorers. Pacers Orlando Tanner took 5 for 49 and Kwesi Mickle 3 for 44 for Tucber Park who, batting a second time reached 134 for 7 with Clifton Lindee hitting 33 and Garfield Benjamin 22 not out. National youth player Nigel Deodat claimed 6 for 38 for Blairmont in an impressive spell of left arm spin bowling.

Timehri Panthers VP/PRO Mr. Clayton A. D Lambert receives one of the balls from Bounty Farm Ltd. Employee Ms. Amelia Kelman in the presence of Mr. John Steele (left) and Senior Captain Mr. Shannon Samnauth, both donning the Kits. Ahead of what is anticipated to be a ding dong battle against home team Guyana Police Force in the feature match of the opening double header of the GFF Super 16 year end tournament on Sunday afternoon, East Bank Football Association top team, Timehri Panthers received a timely boost of gear and equipment from Bounty Farm Ltd. Receiving the donation was Timehri Panthers Sports Club Vice President and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Clayton A.D Lambert Snr., from Bounty Farm employee, Ms. Amelia Kelman. Also present at the simple ceremony were Club President Mr. Adrian Gonsalves, Captain and National Under-17 player, Shannon Samnauth along with defender and Bounty Farm

employee, Mr. John Steele. The club received two full kits, 10 balls and 5 ball bags, the 10 balls bring the amount of balls donated to the club by Bounty Farm Ltd., to twenty five. Commenting on the donation, Mr. David Fernandes, Assistant Managing Director of Bounty Farm Ltd., said that they are proud to be able to make a contribution to the development of youth and football in the community. President Gonsalves thanked the company for their timely donation and said he was looking forward to many more in the future. He also stated that the equipment would be put to good use and will go a far way in fulfilling the Panthers motto, “Impacting Lives Thorough Sports “.

Kandasamy Surujnarine

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 11, 2019

Beaton’s action was reported during Franchise League

Lions Club of Belair and three corporate entities donate three benches to National Park

But was selected for Super50

Proceeds garnered from recent Domino competition

By Sean Devers Guyana and West Indies fast bowler Ronsford Beaton was sent home during the recently concluded Regional Super50 in Trinidad due to an illegal bowling action. But it was discovered that the 27year-old Beaton was reported for a suspect action during a CGI 50-over Franchise game in Berbice. Beaton was easily the quickest bowler in the Franchise League which was used to select the National team for the Super50. According to a Berbician Umpire, he reported Beaton’s action to the Match Referee but the GCB took no action and picked the Essequibo fast bowler for the Super50. When asked why he did not call ‘no ball’ since the amended ‘No Ball Law’ gives the Umpires the power to do so, he said “What we do is record the over and ball suspected and notify the Match Referee.” The senior Umpire informed that Beaton was absolutely ridiculous with his action. He added that even a senior Coach (name given) said he was ‘trying with him’ but never got to complete his task. When contacted about the report and the alleged inaction, a GCB source said Umpires now have the power to call and signal No Balls on the spot for suspect actions and if the player ‘throws’ again suspend him from bowling for the rest of the innings. The GCB source also added that for a report to be deemed official the Umpires have to follow a process which includes signing a special report form for suspect actions which is given to all of the Match Referees and Umpires assigned to the tournament. The GCB source said that Umpires did not sign that form since it is required that all Umpires in the match sign the form. The last time Beaton was banned, Cricket West Indies (CWI) paid for his remedial work since he was representing West Indies. In the latest instance Beaton, was banned in a CWI tournament but he was playing for Guyana and the GCB could not say who would pay the cost. Beaton, who has played two ODI’s, has had problems with his bowling action during his career and was reported during the Super50 game against United States but was allowed to play the next three games.

Beaton was previously suspended from bowling after being reported during an ODI against New Zealand in December 2017. He was cleared to return to playing international cricket in August 2018, after his remodeled action was assessed at Loughborough University in England on August 13, 2018. It was revealed that the amount of elbow extension for all his deliveries was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations. Beaton will undergo an evaluation of his action which CWI has arranged for an independent assessment of the bowling action to be done. “Video footage of his latest infringement was sent to Loughborough University in the United Kingdom for an opinion report in accordance with the CWI Regulations for Dealing with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.” Beaton, who was born in the Volcano hit Island of Montserrat, has played 33 First-Class, 38 List A and 48 T20 matches.

President of Lions Club of Belair Mrs. Candace Forde (2nd left) hands over one of the benches to Commissioner Protected Area Commission, Ms. Denise Fraser in the presence of Mrs. Denise Bentick (General Manager Protected Area Commission), Mr. Walter Rodney (Manager, National Park) and Mrs. Foluso Vangroigen (Chairperson Environmental Committee- Lions Club of Belair). With the proceeds garnered from a recent domino competition, host, Lions Club of Belair and sponsors, Creative Jewellery and Pawn Shop, International Imports & Supplies and Radar Securities have donated three branded benches to the National Park as part of the Lions Club Environmental Committees commitment. President of the Lions Club of Belair, Mrs. Candace Forde who made the official presentation to Ms. Denise Fraser, Commissioner Protected Area Commission, noted at the handing over that the donation adds to the beautification of

the National Park. “The Lions of Belair is pleased to collaborate with our partners to install these benches, which we trust will improve the comfort and experience of everyone that visits the National Park. We believe that safe and comfortable recreational spaces are essential to the overall quality of life for all Guyanese. I therefore take this opportunity to encourage all stakeholders to undertake similar initiatives across Guyana.” The domino competition had attracted some 17 teams and was keenly contested.

BCB/RHTYSC/Busta Champion of Champions 40-Overs tourney

RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour to face Albion in Saturdays final

Ronsford Beaton bowls in local cricket.

The Area ‘H’ Ground located in Guyana’s smallest Township is expected to come alive on Saturday when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) host the final of the 2019 BCB/RHTYSC/ Busta Champion of Champions tournament. The first ball is expected to be bowled 10:30hrs and lots of fireworks is anticipated between the Berbice’ top two first division teams, featuring a number of leading players. BCB President, Hilbert Foster has described the 16th edition of the tournament as a resounding success despite the decision of the cricket

powers of Guyana to stop national contracted players from playing in a tournament hosted by the BCB. This, Foster stated that is totally unfair but stated that no vindictive action would affect the train of progress that the Ancient County has enjoyed over the last 20 months. Playing at home, Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour would be led by former national player Eon Hooper, who has been enjoying a good all-round year in his first season as Captain. In the absence of Clinton Pestano, Kevlon Anderson and Kevin Sinclair, Namilco Thunderbolt Flour batting

would be led by Junior Sinclair, Jason Sinclair, Surendra Kissoonlall, Eon Hooper, Jonathan Rampersaud, Keith Simpson and veterans, Khemraj Mahadeo and Delbert Hicks. Pacers Keon Sinclair and Sylus Tyndall leads a strong fast bowling attack which will receive strong support from offspinners Junior Sinclair, Khemraj Mahadeo, Eon Hooper, Jonathan Rampersaud, Left arm spinner Keith Simpson and leg spinner Shawn Pereira. Albion would be affected by the absence of Devindra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Veersammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie but still

boasts a strong team in both batting and bowling. National player Jonathan Foo leads the batting and would receive support from Kandasammy Surujnarine, Rajiv Ivan, Sharaz Ramcharran, David Latchaya, Jetendra Outar, Ritesh Umroa and Sarwan Chaitnarine. Their spin bowling centers round national youth player Kelvin Umroa, Ivan, Ramcharran, Sarwan, Mahendra Chaitnarine, Kandasammy Surujnarine, David Latchaya and Jonathan Foo. The winning team would pocket $100,000, the runner up $50,000 while the Man-ofthe-final would also be rewarded.