Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Thursday December 13, 2018

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

PEOPLE’S POWER IN FULL FORCE

O

ver the years, France has had several demonstrations over socio-economic and political issues, but none can compare to the present street protests, which started four weeks ago. Since then the citizens of France continue to object to the 10 cents per gallon increase on fuel. The increase in the price of gas has become a key element for the majority of French citizens because about 40 percent of them use their cars on a daily basis for work and another 30 percent use their cars regularly for other purposes. The new taxes were in addition to an increase in the cost for electricity designed to mitigate climate change, but ended up igniting the so-called Yellow Vest movement, a group of poor rural and suburban French citizens whose living conditions are awful in a country with some of the highest taxes in Europe. The movement is named for the safety vests worn in all French cars, but has become a symbol of dissatisfaction and frustration with the French government. It is unlike any other movement. It has no organization, no leaders and is not backed by unions. Basically, the riots are seen as a revolt that has split France between the rich from the big cities and the poor blue-collar workers and farmers from the small towns in the rural areas who are struggling to make ends meet. The revolt has expanded to include a reduction in cost of living, payroll taxes and unemployment, a redistribution of wealth, increases in salaries, pensions, social security payments and the minimum wage. Protestors have also called for the dissolution of the French Parliament and the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron, whose 23 percent approval rating is the lowest since President François Hollande in 2013. Numbering in the thousands, the protestors, mostly men age 20 to 45 years old from across France, some far-right and far-left extremists, are accusing President Macron of being arrogant and completely out of touch with the problems of the masses. Angry and outraged over the government’s economic policies, which they claim benefit the rich, the protestors overran several riot police barricades in Paris, smashed store windows, looted luxury stores and boutiques, torched cars, defaced numerous public buildings and monuments and dug-up many streets. With five deaths, more than 300 injured and thousands arrested, the riots have turned Paris’ fanciest neighbourhoods into chaos. This level of revolt and violence has not been seen in France since the 1960s. Public support for the Yellow Vest movement remains high, with seven-in-10 people backing the protest. President Macron in an address to the nation, sought to restore calm after being accused that his governing style and his economic policies were ruing the country. Not only was the Head of State humbled, but he reversed the tax increase on fuel, increased wages for the poorest workers, cut taxes for pensioners, and accepted blame for the unrest. The 40-year-old former investment banker turned politician’s quest to quell the disturbances proved more difficult than he had thought. Realizing that the movement was snowballing, Macron further offered an array of benefits for low-income earners. They include subsidies for switching to more fuel-efficient cars, gas purchases, and rebates for changing to clean fuel for home heating. These measures are likely to cost the state billions, which it does not have. The protesters, whose movement has grown rapidly in numbers through social media, have forced the government to deploy some 90,000 police throughout France. The riots have caused most of the stores, museums and public buildings in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, to close. Paris is looking like a ghost town during what should be a festive pre-Christmas shopping season. People’s power is in full force.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

The Ministry of Education Has To Do Much More DEAR EDITOR, I was given a rude awakening, recently, as a first-time parent in our public secondary school system, beginning September this year. Virtually all the issues and problems confronting our children nationally were rolled out at a parent conference at my child’s school, Richard Ishmael Secondary, in November. It was discovered that the Ministry of Education was the principal source of the factors contributing to the failure of many of our children during their secondary school years. I assumed the responsibility of drafting a letter to the School’s principal, which outlined those issues, which had to be addressed at the administrative level and which required cooperation from the Ministry of education. At the parent conference, it was found that the Ministry of Education had so overcrowded the school with children at the Grade Seven level that another class was permanently established in the School’s library, barring any regular use of that facility by other students of

the school. Additionally, one other class had been split into two, within the same classroom, with a couple of blackboards being poorly used to divide the two classes. Based on a sight estimate of the students in the library and split classes, the Ministry of Education had overcrowded the school in Grade Seven alone by close to 50 students. No effort had been made to check on the prevalence of overcrowding across the entire school. The second major problem created by the Ministry of Education was that it failed to meet the School’s staffing requirements for teachers since the beginning of the term, resulting in many subjects being inadequately delivered and the students being very often unsupervised. The overcrowding of the classes and their increase in number only compounded the problems faced by the school’s available teachers. These two factors contributed to the heightened levels of indiscipline faced by teachers and the administration. I myself

had discussed this issue with the school’s administration earlier in the term, dealing in particular with female students being sexually and physically harassed even at the Grade Seven level. At the time, I had proposed that the administration address the problem with the entire school through assemblies. It is noteworthy here that inadequate teaching staff only compounds the problem of indiscipline as students now find themselves more unsupervised and more often than not facing off with aggressive students, becoming aggressive themselves as a deterrent mechanism.We also found out that students were forced to clean their classrooms. Again, we could not understand why inadequate ancillary staff had become a chronic problem which forced our children to spend time cleaning their classes and dirtying their uniforms instead of learning. I do not know how long this has been going on, but it is suspected that what obtains at Richard Ishmael Secondary School is a pretty fair estimate of what

transpires in the lower grade schools across the country. Parents are therefore encouraged to attend their children’s parent/teacher meetings and other discussion forums hosted by their child(ren)’s school administrations, and get involved in demanding quality education for their children, now recognized internationally as one of children’s primary rights. They should also chat more with their daughters to ensure that they are not being physically or sexually harassed at school.The Ministry of Education has obviously been working in the absence of guidelines governing staffing of schools and allocating children across the nation’s public schools. If such guidelines exist, they very clearly were not followed in the case of Richard Ishmael Secondary School. No effort should be spared to correct what is a gross abuse of our children and their right to a proper education, not only at Richard Ishmael, but across the entire country. Respectfully, Craig Sylvester, Parent.

MINISTER LAWRENCE’S OFFENSIVE AND DIVISIVE REMARKS Dear Editor, The Minister of Health promise to give jobs to her party supporters and her search for a Spanishspeaking doctor is tantamount to the proverbial search for the needle in a haystack. If this is the minister’s position on jobs then why should they be paid by the taxpayers? Giving jobs to party supporters is unfair to the rest of people who have every right to a job. After all, it was not only her Party supporters who have catapulted her government into office. Giving jobs only to PNC supporters is just the type of discrimination that should not be practised by public officials who have taken an oath to govern in the interest of all. Even though giving jobs only to party supporters has been the practise of both political parties over the years, it is biased, offensive and counterproductive; it highlights a troubling mindset that has Guyana languishing in the doldrums as it remains the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Six months ago, a

contract to supply drugs to the Health sector was sole sourced to the New Yorkbased company, HDM. The person in question is not a remigrant but has claimed-remigrant status in order to deceive the government. So much for giving contracts to those who donated to the party. Back to Ms. Lawrence whose apology is both insincere and comical. This head-hunter has a spin that is parallel to Rumpelstiltskin

who told the King that his daughter has the powers to spin straw into gold. Ms. Lawrence is full of platitudes (some people call it bull****) in declaring that she is fighting for justice for all the races. Did she fight for the vast improvements in the Health Sector where persons die of belly pain in waiting rooms? She presides over a country with one of the highest infant mortality and maternal death rates in the world.

Let us suppose that a fire starts in her house; by inference would she tell the 911 operators that she only wants PNC supporters to put out the blaze?As the Roman philosopher, Publilius Syrus, declared, I have often regretted my speech, never my silence. Did Minister Lawrence regret her silly and distasteful remarks? Only she knows! Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine New York

Fireside Grill is divorced from the Bar Dear Editor, We pen this letter in retort to one carried in your media outlet on December 8th, 2018 - “This Garnett St. Business is a nuisance to the Neighbourhood” Foremost, the Fireside Grill and Chill was established to provide a family oriented ambience for the Guyanese public and we have maintained that stance over the 18 months that we’ve been operable. Our primary basis for this type of entity was to shy away from the raucous atmosphere, and create a healthy eatery with

soft music and a customer friendly haven. Mr. Editor, the Fireside Grill is an independent entity - a club stands contiguous to our establishment. Our hours of business are 12pm-11pm, therefore, we vehemently disavow the sinister accusations of the writer that patrons of our entity parade disheveled in the wee hours of the morning. In conclusion, we are appalled that your media outlet hasn’t done due diligence to authenticate these malicious accusations, which are evidently poised to

denigrate our esteemed establishment. Frankly, it’s horrendous to think of the damage one can cause, shielded by “anonymous.” Yours respectfully Management of Fireside Grill and Chill Editor’s note: It is being queried whether the club that is contiguous to the Grill shares the management of the Fireside Grill. Secondly, the headline used by Kaieteur News was ‘The Fire Side Grill and Bar is a nuisance to the Kitty Neighbourhood’ and not the one quoted in the letter.

Thursday December 13, 2018

LOCAL CONTENT MUST FOCUS ON LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT DEAR EDITOR, “My personal view is that we have started the discussion on local content from, perhaps, the wrong perspective.” This is the view of Nigel Hughes, Director of the Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA), which he shared last Saturday at the Shipping Association of Guyana’s 8th annual dinner and gala event. Mr. Hughes couldn’t be more correct. We have been blessed with a very rare opportunity, but if we do not begin implementing forward-looking growth and development strategies, we will never be able to reap the full benefit of our oil and gas development. As we debate how best to craft local content regulations, we need to ensure that these policies are focused on long-term economic development. As Mr. Hughes stated, “We should look at getting our possible contributions in the oil and gas industry as efficient and competitive as possible so that we create a world-class

industry for the provision of goods and services in the oil and gas industry.” We will all benefit far more if we view local content through this lens, instead of just how much is guaranteed and reserved for locals right now. This process begins with Guyanese businesses and entrepreneurs.For instance, Georgetown-based Action COACH Guyana has been active in establishing links with foreign businesses and markets. The company is part of the AberdeenGuyana Gateway, and recently entered into a joint Venture with a Canadian firm to capitalise on our oil discoveries.Another Guyanese business looking towards the future is Guysons Oil and Gas Services. In October, the Georgetown-based oil and gas services provider be-

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

came the first local company to become ISO certified. ISO certification signals to the global oil and gas industry that this is a company you can trust. As Guyana’s oil and gas industry grows, these kinds of certifications will become increasingly important for Guyanese businesses. Guysons Oil and Gas Services has established itself as a leader in the field, which will lead to enormous opportunities for growth both here as well as around the world.Mr. Hughes confidently declared last Saturday that Guyana could become a First World destination in less than 12 years. However, this is conditional on us instituting local content policies that promote Guyana’s transformation into a preferred destination for investment. Patrick Davis

CENTRAL BANK STAFF WILL REJECT 2% IMPOSED ON THEM DEAR MR. EDITOR In June 2015, the Central Bank issued a circular stating, “the payment of increments based on performance appraisal of staff will be made effective in 2016 and payment of ‘across the board’ salary increase by the Government

of Guyana will also benefit the staff of the Bank of Guyana”. However, in 2015, staff received 5% in addition to government increase of $5000. Subsequently, in 2016 onwards, a 2% had been imposed on all staff, which blatantly ignored the circular,

which was issued in 2015 to the Bank. The Management of the Central Bank has never communicated to staff the reason(s) why the ‘across the board’ increase given to public servants would not be paid (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

Outgoing City Mayor, Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green should apologize DEAR EDITOR, On behalf of my fellow colleagues of the City Police Department and myself, I write to express my profound disappointment over the recent comments made by the outgoing Mayor of Georgetown, Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green at the statutory meeting held on Monday, December 10, 2018. I have noted in some section of the printed media and from r e l i a b l e sources that the Mayor a t M o n d a y ’s s t a t u t o r y meeting declared that the City Council is una b l e t o p a y retroactive salaries to its Constabulary Officers for the year 2018. However, in defending the inability to do so, the Mayor went a step further to say that the City Constabulary officers are not deserving of the retroactive increases as she described them as “Grass-

hoppers and who do nothing” which is a total disrespect for the hardworking and dedicated members of the City Police department. These constables work tirelessly and beyond the call of duty to ensure l a w a n d o r d e r i s maintained, and protect the safety and security of all those who visit, work or live in the city of Georgetown on a daily basis. I wish to remind the Mayor and make it known to the public that due to the dedication of the ranks of the City Police Department and other law enforcement agencies such as the Guyana Police Force, that there have been a significant reduction in the number of crimes in 2018 in all categories when compared to the previous years.

This is commendable and as such the Mayor should see it fit to pay the increase in retroactive salaries to its Constabulary Officers for the year 2018 rather than referring to us as ‘Grasshoppers’. This is a gross disrespect and disgusting coming from the Mayor who ought to know better when it comes to respecting people as a leader and a political finger in our society. I commended Mrs. Sharon Harry-Munroe, the Acting Town Clerk , and representatives from the City Constabulary Department for letting the Mayor know that the City Council has an obligation to pay the retroactive salary increases to the Constab u l a r y o f f i c ers. I call on the Mayor of Georgetown, Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green, to publicly apologize to ranks of the City Police Department over her recent derogatory remarks and to pay the retroactive salary increases to the Constabulary officers. Yours faithfully, Rayvonne P. Bourne City Police 1940

Thursday December 13, 2018

Why should SARA be scrapped? DEAR EDITOR, I am not pruned to writing letters to the newspaper, but I have to on a missive, whose pontifications are by the Professor of all crafts, Christopher Ram. I often wonder, why this man thinks that he is the authority on every conceivable subject matter in Guyana. Kaieteur Newspaper article of December 9, 2018, titled ‘SARA breaches law, fails to have annual plan, Code of Practice tabled – Ram & McRae says Agency should be scrapped altogether.’ Firstly for your information, Mr. Expert Christopher Ram these reports are not due until year end and even if that Agency failed to submit its annual Plan and code of practice, should SARA be scrapped? Why is he taking this position? It leaves the reader to wonder if this

goodly gentleman has something to hide or is it that SARA is going after his assets or those of his clients. How can one speak against corruption, but then suggest an agency whose objective is to fight corruption be scrapped? This gentleman is allowed to write as an authority on these subjects without being challenged and Guyanese sit and consume his almost daily diatribe. Of importance, is that although he has challenged the legality of the institution, a matter that is sub judice, he continues to pass judgment on the body. I dare say that Ram’s personal pieces are not facts. This man masquerades as a social activist, but this is shrouded in deep mysteries. His main purpose is to hoodwink the nation, thereby keeping the focus off of himself. He engages in subjects

that will rally people’s anger and in so doing achieves his daily goal of mastering confusion. He bemoans the virtue of integrity and honesty and it is this erudite gentleman who sold a prime real estate to a known drug dealer. One writer told Ram, “The lowest forms of information/ data quality are rumours , groups and personal opinions.” Quality writing uses inference and facts, the highest form of information/data quality.” It is on the platform that we should be very careful of some of the so called activists who cause us to think they are so clean, yet skeletons are hidden in their closets. Let us work to build this nation and not be divisive. We have before us a generation of young people let us inspire them, let us motivate them. Regards Name Withheld

Central Bank Staff will reject 2%... From page 5 to us as was intended. The proposed 2% increase for 2018 will be taxed. This brings us to the point, that we are categorically deemed public servants conveniently.

Mr. Minister of Finance, if we are not public servants, why are we treated like them conveniently? Earlier this year our vacation allowance, half month, was taxed for the first time in the history of the Bank. All our directives come from the Ministry of Finance, why then we are not allowed to benefit from across the board Government increases? The Bank’s staff needs clarification from this government as to why we have been treated unfairly concerning our increase in salary. It must be noted that the performance appraisal/ (ACR) increment is based on a grading system and not all staff members are equally graded fairly by their

Supervisor or Director. This often results in staff members being taken before a review board because of poor grades, which result in meagre amounts given as increment especially the janitorial staff, handymen and lower level clerical staff. It has been years now that the Central Bank has taken a downwards approach to staff. Decisions are made without a general consensus as it relates to staff welfare. Everything is done using a big stick approach and we the staff are fed-up and frustrated. Staff are being de-motivated by the nepotism showed in the Bank. Christmas is a time of sharing and joy, but at the Central Bank this year, it will not even have a little decoration in the public area to lift the spirit of staff unless we do it ourselves, because management will not pay to decorate the Bank. We would like to have restored our tax free half-month vacation allowance and let our Board of Directors make the decision on our salary increases.Mr. Editor, if the Government, Minister Jordan and the Governor do not please our staff and treat us with dignity, we the Central Bank staff are prepared to stand in solidarity and protest our rights in the streets of Georgetown, until our needs are adequately and speedily met by the Government to grant our increases, review our salary scale and remove the tax from our vacation allowances. If we cannot be happy,the public servants will not receive their increase and we will all have a gloomy Christmas. FROM CONCERNED STAFF

Thursday December 13, 2018

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

Govt. on alert after Russian bomber aircraft land in Venezuela - Foreign Affairs Ministry The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is on the alert, after it received reports that the Russian Federation deployed two strategic bombers in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, on Monday last. A release from Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday, follows the deployment of the planes. It states: “Guyana is fully committed to the rule of international law, including the peaceful resolution of disputes,” and that the government is open to meaningful cooperation with Venezuela. Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said that the planes were part of air force exer-

cises with its Russian allies: “This, we are going to do with our friends, because we have friends in the world who defend respectful, balanced relations,” BBC reported. Though military exercises are regular and are not inherently indicative of a threat, the Ministry is currently monitoring all developments related to the deployment of the bombers. The planes in question are TU-160 Supersonic Bombers. The TU-160 is the largest and heaviest combat aircraft, and the fastest bomber now in use. The Tu-160 can carry nuclear and conventional weapons in-

Five-month-old electrocuted A family of the Upper Corentyne area is presently mourning the devastating loss of their five-month-old child after he was reportedly electrocuted on Tuesday at their home. The police are investigating the circumstances in which Mason Cush of Lot 207 No 76 Housing Scheme Corriverton, Corentyne, met his death. According to reports around 11hrs on the day in question the baby was at home with his mother Onessa Jackson in their one-flat concrete home. The child, who lived with his mother, father and a threeyear-old sibling, was reportedly lying on a bed. The woman decided to make up the bed and placed the child to lie on the floor. The child got hold of a drop cord which was nearby. The cord had an exposed section that had tape

wrapped around it. The child reportedly placed the cord into his mouth unknown to the mother. It was when she was finished what she was doing and trying to pick up the child that she realized what had happened. The woman tried to revive the child but was unsuccessful. The baby was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where it was pronounced dead on arrival. The woman who began to slip into spells of unconsciousness was taken into custody wher e s h e w a s questioned and subsequently released. The police are asking residents to be extremely careful with electrical connections in their homes, especially with small children around. They are asking citizens to discard damaged electrical appliances and wires.

cluding long-range nuclear missiles. The Tu-160 can climb at a rate of 70m per second. The maximum and cruise speeds of the bomber are 2,220km per hour and 960km per hour, respectively. The range of the aircraft is 12,300km. Its combat radius is 7,300km. Only 36 of its kind were ever made, nine of those, being prototypes.

The Tu-160 planes have only ever been used by the Russian Aerospace Forces, the SovietAir Forces and Ukrainian Air Force. According to BBC, the two Tu-160 bombers landed in Venezuela on Monday last in a Russian show of support for the government of socialist President Nicolás Maduro. Venezuela and Russia have long been close al-

lies, and the Russian bombers as well as a missile cruiser - were sent to the Latin American country in 2008. The supersonic bombers also visited Venezuela in 2013. The latest visit comes just days after President Maduro met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Russian and US officials have been involved in a spat

over the landing in Venezuela of the two Russian bombers. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it amounted to “two corrupt governments squandering public funds”. The Russian government called his words “completely inappropriate”. Guyana’s diplomatic relationship with Russia has been cordial since December 17, 1970.

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 13, 2018

No interest in top post at Finance Ministry Investigation continues into demise of - Finance Secretary, deputy hired Despite advertisements, it appears that a top post in the Ministry of Finance has no takers. The position of Chief Planning Officer (CPO), despite being advertised months ago, has attracted no interest. This was confirmed this week by the Ministry of Finance which was responding to questions about appointments to a number of top posts. According to the ministry, advertisements for the posts of Deputy Finance Secretary and Chief Planning Officer for the Ministry of Finance were placed in the Stabroek News and Guyana Chronicle. The adverts ran from July 25 to August 17th, 2018. The response to the post

for the deputy was very competitive, the ministry said. This followed rigorous interviews by a panel of “competent interviewers” drawn from within and outside the ministry. According to the ministry, a shortlist of three persons was followed by an evaluation which saw Dale Browne emerging the standout candidate. “He was offered the position and he accepted graciously. He is not unknown in the corporate world as he has worked at both local and international organisations including DDL and USAID.” The ministry said that the post of the Finance Secretary was filled by appointment by the President of the Cooperative Republic of

Guyana. The new Finance Secretary is Michael Joseph. With regards to the CPO, the advertisement earlier this year that “the Chief Planning Officer provides technical and managerial leadership by ensuring that national development priorities are identified, resources are available to achieve targets, and outputs are on schedule and technically sound.” The CPO is also responsible for advising Cabinet on the formulation and implementation of macroeconomic and sectoral policies and provides continuous assessments of the existing socioeconomic framework as well as missions/negotiations

undertaken for development programming assistance and performance reviews. “The Chief Planning Officer, also, provides technical advice on primary areas for sustainable economic, social, and environmental development. The Chief Planning officer collaborates with the Finance Secretary to facilitate the secretarial services.” It is a critical position. The CPO’s position was held by Dr. Nelson Modeste while former Deputy Finance Secretary was Louise Bouyea. Both resigned earlier this year. The contract of the last F i n a n c e S e c r e t a r y, D r, Hector Butts, which expired in October, was not renewed.

Kuru Kururu couple A day after the bodies of Malika Hale, a 34-year-old chef, and her partner Alwyin Bleacher, a 48-year-old farmer, both of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway were found in their home, an autopsy was conducted and has added to the confusion surrounding the couple’s death. Initial reports suggested the couple were in a heated argument around 20:00 hours on Monday over Bleacher’s stabbing of their thirteenyear-old son, an act for which he was charged and remanded to prison, and had only recently been released. It was said that the couple who were together for some fourteen years, had argued for quite some time and were found dead with multiple stab wounds about their body on Tuesday morning by their eldest child. Persons who responded to calls for help from the couple’s children after the gruesome discovery, said the bodies lay across a bed. The woman was lying on her back with her shirt open, exposing her upper body. There was blood around her neck, cheek and chest area. The man’s body lay on its side with the two feet across the woman’s tummy area. No

Dead: 34-year-old Malika Hale. blood was seen on the bed around the man’s body and very little was on the woman’s. The autopsy report revealed that Hale received some 23 stab wounds about her body, with ten of those being around the region of the neck, heart and lungs. Bleacher’s body bore 26 stab wounds, with four of those being incised wounds that perforated the neck, heart and lungs. The investigation is ongoing.

Thursday December 13, 2018

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

PUC blocks GTT’s application for increase in bundled landline rates Regulators have denied an application of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) to increase a number of landline charges. According to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) yesterday, on October 1, 2018, the company applied for an increase in landline access charges from $750 to $800 for each line in a residence. For more than two lines, the charge would be $1,600, up from $1,500. Businesses would have been required to pay $2,500 months, from $2,250, for between 1-4 lines. The company also wanted approval of five resi-

dential bundled services that relate exclusively to the landline service, including an all-inclusive (intra and inter), access for $6,500 per month with call forwarding, voicemail and call waiting, and a friend and family calling bundle for five persons unlimited for $1,850. According to PUC, after having reviewed arguments by GTT and the Guyana Consumers Association (GCA), which was objecting, it was the view of the Commission that the company had not presented a convincing case for the proposed price increases for its landline services. “Therefore, the applica-

tion is denied in its entirety,” PUC said in its order dated Tuesday, December 11th, 2018. Representing the PUC for the public hearing on an “Approval of a Tariff Regime for Access and Landline Metered Charges” were Chairperson, Dela Britton; Commissioners Maurice Solomon and Rajendra Bisessar. Also in attendance for PUC were Secretary Vidiahar Persaud; Moorsalene Sankar, and Yogwattie Sookram – both of whom are financial analysts. Representing GTT were Mark Reynolds - Director, Legal and Regulatory Affairs;

Dem boys seh ...

Dem MPs getting screw behind de barricades Every time dem got Parliament, de whole city in chaos and confusion. When de coalition was in de Opposition, dem promise to get rid of all dem barricade round Public Buildings. Dem promise not to disrupt de city de way de PPP use to have barricades. De same APNU+KFC seh nobody in deh not dat important fuh want all dat security precaution. In fact, each one of dem in Parliament got dem own disability walking around wid. Who nah got proppa eye, hard of hearing. Some can’t bend down fuh tie dem shoe lace; some got skittle foot and some brainless. Today, dem in charge and instead dem remove de barricade wuh people could have a free flow of traffic, dem widen de barricade tekking over de city. If somebody want lef de court to go to LaPenitence Market, dem got to go up de East Coast and use de dam wha Fine Man use to travel to get to East Bank. Who live pon de East Bank and want go to court, got go cross de Harbour Bridge to Vreed-en-Hoop and tek a ballahoo or a canoe to come over.

Wid dis type of barricade fuh lock in demself, one would think dem Mofos mekking decision to put Guyana into de First World next week. Look wheh Guyana deh today, 52 years later after so much barricade, one after de odda. Dem sit down in Parliament and look wha dem give Guyana, a repainted airport wheh dem change couple zinc sheets fuh US$150M. Dem boys she, dem got Guyanese who can tek dat same US$150M and build three airports, one fuh Timehri, one fuh Berbice and one fuh Essequibo. And dem boys not talking bout changing zinc sheets; dem talking bout building from scratch, bigger and better airports. Dem sit down behind dem barricades and still don’t know how much foreign people robbing Guyana blind in de back dam. Dem sit down deh behind de barricade and allowing de oil company to screw dem plus Guyana front, back and centre. Talk half and remember moving de barricade was anodda promise. It yet to be fulfilled by APNU+KFC.

Delreo Newman - Director, International Regulatory, Government and Legal Affairs and Mark Singh, Vice President, Finance Corporate Control. For the GCA were the president, Patrick Dial and advisor, Yog Mahadeo. GTT argued that with the advent of liberalization it would be necessary to rebalance rates to bring it closer to its operating cost, a position supported by the Telecommunication Act. “To this end, the company is therefore seeking to rebalance landline rates closer to its operating cost, but intends to do so in stages and over a protracted period, in order to avoid creating rate shock to its consumers.” As it relates to the five bundled services, the company noted that the customer has the option to choose any bundle that the customer may

perceive as advantageous. The customer under this regime has the prerogative of opting out of the bundled package if so desired. GCA, on the other hand, countered by noting that GT&T is using rate re-balancing as a guise for its application to increase consumer prices. “The GCA had expressed its reservations on the model, noting that in the absence of precise data that can be easily collaborated, it would be difficult to be guided by the model, and the GCA is of the view that the guaranteed rate to which GT&T speaks of, is an entitlement, and not a guaranteed rate. The GCA stated that in order for GT&T’s application to be properly dissected, pertinent information should have been provided on: 1) the impact on the subscribers, and 2) the accrual of the anticipated incremental

revenue to the Company,” the PUC order explained. In its decision, PUC said that it is not convinced that the expenses accurately reflect a cost-efficient utility, taking into consideration the size and the scope of the operations of the company; and whether the values of the non-current assets as stated in the company’s financial statement were acquired at market value at the time of acquisition. Significantly also, the regulator said that it had to consider whether the company had adhered to the tenets of its licence, which makes provisions for universal service, especially as it relates to rural areas. GTT has been accused of ignoring installing landlines in rural areas, instead, concentrating on mobile phone network expansion. With (Continued on page 24)

PAGE 10

Thursday December 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Norman Bates and Dracula at bottom house meetings I read where someone wrote that Volda Lawrence was addressing a private meeting, therefore she did not publicly echo a racist rhetoric. The most obvious thing to note is why in a country torn asunder by racial animosity, ethnic discrimination and racist demagoguery the past seventy years, would a politician speak to Guyanese using the kind of emanations that punctuated Ms. Lawrence’s delivery. What Ms. Lawrence said is just routine stuff. It is the nature of party politics in Guyana and it comes in the sickest manifesta-

tions at the bottom house meetings of the PPP and PNC. In the age of the smart phone, we may eventually see the decapitation of Norman Bates at these bottom house insanities. The damage to Lawrence is so great because of someone recording her with his/her phone, that at these Draculean, ethnic rituals at bottom house meetings, PPP and PNC leaders will now be careful how they spew the ethnic lava. In the 2011 general elections, I was in the company of some AFC leaders in Linden, when one of them

named a top PNC figure who at private house meetings during the campaign in Linden urged attendees to “vote for your own.” Make no mistake about it; while the PNC guy told his audience that in Linden, at exactly the same time, somewhere in Mahaicony, a PPP leader was giving out the same exhorts. D e a d ly ethnic demagoguery has destroyed this country, but few persons know that the most venomous, nasty, diabolic racist rants take place during election campaigns at the bottom house gatherings. The worst racist poison to come out of the mouth of a human being anywhere in the world is seen in Guyana during election campaigns, and they are mouthed off not in public spaces, but the secret bottom house meetings. When the attendees leave those nocturnal indoctrinations, they are overtaken with emotional passion about their own people winning the elections. I am not optimistic that what happened to Lawrence will end the

spread of the ethnic lava at these bottom house affairs. Attendees will simply be told to leave their phones at the entrance on a table. I was told that you are not allowed to take your phones with you at the quarterly meetings of the AFC’s executive body. People do not realize it, but racist indoctrination and ethnic triumphalism will continue to thrive in Guyana, because at these bottom house affairs, both ethnic leviathans (PPP and PNC) find them indispensible. If supporters are going to go out in all parts of Guyana to get their own people to vote for you, then you have to inspire them to think in terms of “them versus us.” What Lawrence said is typical of what takes place at these bottom house rituals. Lawrence did not use language that was any different from what other PNC and PPP leaders mouth off at these secret gatherings. Lawrence was exposed, but the identical sermons have been preached by the PPP and PNC for decades now.

I suspect that when the Amerindian party is formed, they may join the chorus. I could imagine what will take place at those selected nightly forums in the villages during the 2020 campaign. Amerindians will be fed a diet of who don’t like them; who want to keep them out of Guyana; who is denying them their share of the pie; who thinks they are more superior to Amerindians. And parting words before the followers exit the door would be – “vote for your own.” Obviously, no such language will be said publicly. But as night follows day, the Amerindian party is going to emulate their counterparts in the PPP and PNC. Of course the context is different. The Amerindian party has a right to agitate for the well-being of the Indigenous people. They are definitely G u y a n a ’s neglected people. With the PNC and PPP, the situation is entirely different. The semantic terror that characterize bottom house conspiracies will not stop in 2020. This columnist believes that Lawrence’s words will be repeated by other PNC

Frederick Kissoon leaders. PPP leaders will use the Lawrence infamy to remind Indians that they must take back Guyana for the sake of the Indians in Guyana. Lawrence has been condemned for what she wrongly composed. But you are foolish to think that equal nastiness has not been said before by PPP and PNC leaders. Lawrence was unlucky. She got caught. Guyanese will continue to view each other with ethnic anger because of what PPP and PNC leaders instill in them. But really! Why would PPP and PNC leaders damage the psyches of the young by preaching race hate at these bottom house outings?

Thursday December 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 13, 2018

LIAT signs agreement allowing more Europe linkages to Guyana Travelers from Europe can now enjoy an easier and more comfortable connection to Guyana. This is thanks to a cooperative agreement recently signed between the German airline Condor (Thomas Cook Group) and LIAT Airlines, making traveling to Guyana from Germany, Austria and Switzerland much faster and more comfortable.

The Interline Agreement allows passengers to use coordinated flight connections and checkedthrough luggage and affords cheaper tickets year-round. The proposed connections will run through Antigua, making it a smoother connection to Guyana, without passengers losing much travel time waiting for connecting flights. Passengers flying into the

Caribbean can continue their journey to Guyana the same day, according to a statement. They will no longer be required to overnight in a connecting country and this will also drastically reduce their cost of travel. “We are extremely excited about this new route. Increased air connectivity to Guyana will allow more travelers to access the country and its rich natural

and cultural heritage and adventurous experiences. This is a substantial step in

connecting our European travellers, which is one of our key core markets, to Guyana,�

says Brian Mullis, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority.

Thursday December 13, 2018

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Hinterland Airstrip Rehab attracts bids in excess of $100M The following were bids opened by the National Procurement and Tender Board on Tuesday, December 11, 2018:Ministry of Public Infrastructure - Rehabilitation of Hinterland Strips 1, Lot B - Rehabilitation of Kamana Airstrip, Region 8

Ministry of Public Infrastructure, HECI - Design, Supply and Installation of Solar Micro-Grid PV system

Supreme Court - Supply and Delivery of Dietary Supplements University of Guyana - Selection of Consulting Services for Detailed Design and Cost Estimates for Infrastructural Enhancement of the Library

Supreme Court - Supply and Delivery and Janitorial and Cleaning Supplies

Ministry of Finance - Fabrication and Installation of Fire Escape Staircase to new building located in the MOF compound Guyana Revenue Authority - Supply and Delivery of Tablets

Guyana Revenue Authority - Supply and Delivery of Desktop Computers

National Communications Network Inc. Supply of Inventory Commodities 2019

Guyana Revenue Authority - Construction of Storage Bond, Corriverton, Berbice, Region 6

Guyana Revenue Authority - Supply and Delivery of Surveillance Cameras and Equipment Ministry of Legal Affairs - Rental of Office Space

Guyana Revenue Authority - Supply and Delivery of Cisco Routers

Ministry of Public Telecommunications, NDMA Interconnect to GPL Fibre along the Eastern Corridor and Delivery of Fibre Connectivity to New Amsterdam

(Continued on page 23)

PAGE 22

Thursday December 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

Convicted rapist withdraws appeal FOR RENT

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Eagle’s re-gas AC, Fridge, Washing machine & computer repairs, Gas stove, Plasma flat screen, Electrical installation & more. Call: 697-2969/6460966

FOR SALE Generac Pressure Wash for sale 3100 PSI. Tel#654-5267/ 652-2244/220-4203 One Ford explore sportage jeep, fully loaded $3.7M. Call# 684-4636/676-4810 Four (4) Pure breed German Shepherd (Black & Tan) Seven (7) weeks old. Tel#650-9998/ 626-0953 Used zinc sheets in good condition, Approximately 30 sheets, 26 ft length each. Contact Nos: 225-4106/6414952 Empty 20lbs Shell/Tex bottle also Acetylene & Oxygen 5 Leyland DAF Flatbed lorry, owner migrating, #228-5655/ 649-8449

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Salon for rental, New Market St, Georgetown, also hair/ nails/barber/massage. Makeup stations for rental #638-1106 1 Apt for rent- Bottom flat for rent, for business. Contact Radica Kassim #264-2639 Lot 7-8 Plantain Walk WBD Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290 2 Bedroom apartments, 3 bedroom house, 2 living rooms ECD. Contact Mr. Khan #695-6550/656-9313 New 4 Storey Building at Parika (Guyana’s Gateway) near stelling. Willing to divide. Call: 699-4513. Apartments for rent @ Nandy Park $60,000 #641-3318

Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC’S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822 PROPERTY FOR SALE House for rent at Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke Highway #691-8420 22 Hill St, Alboystown $7.5M Negotiable. Contact Shirley McCalmont #718-345-1416 Royston #516-853-4213/6835664/677-9938 3 storyed commercial buliding for sale in Diamond. Contact owners on #676-8129/6438348 Large 3 bedroom classic house in solid condition-all amenities, huge yard, security. Call: 609-7766/225-8427. Price neg, Versailles WBD ACCOMMODATION Secret Villa & Harmony Inn. Fully furnish, air-condition rooms & apartments. 2256337, 668-0306, 218-1400, 6028769, 266-5243-4

WANTED Demerara Bakery Inc. is looking for Distributors, Wholesalers & Retailers. Call us on 266-5847 or email: sales@demerarabakery.com We buy land in Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, Parfaite Harmonie, Uivlugt, Zeelugt, Providence & Dairy Tel# 6117223/651-1969 Buying Wamara Whatsapp: 664-5150

Logs.

Experienced Taxi & Private Drivers #227-0638/622-6413 Beautician, Nail Technician, must be qualified & have atleast 1 year in salon experience. Salary/ Commission. Contact#6266450 General Domestic with cooking experience, ages 3055. Call: 226-1100 Wanted experienced taxi hire car driver at Ramada Princess hotel. Contact# 616-5419/2657075 Needed one experienced salesgirl @ Stall B, Bourda.Tel#227-3407 One maid. #621-3080 Wanted 1 person to look after cattle in Mahaicony Creek. #619-9143/614-8857

VEHICLE FOR SALE Nissan Laurel Executice antique car, Nissan Pathfinder 4-door Jeep. Superb condition. Price Neg. Call your price. Tel#609-7766/225-8427 LAND FOR SALE Farm (East Bank) $3.2M Eccles $7M Herstelling $4M & $5M Schnoord $2.8M Dairy $1.6M & $2.6M Tel#656-0701/6481635 Zeelugt $2.3M Tuschen $2.9M Parfaite Harmonie $2M (fenced) Parfaite Harmonie $1.5M #697-6311, 642-1252 Diamond New Scheme, 5th Avenue Double lot (Million Dollar area) $9.2M. Tel#6039700

LEARN TO DRIVE CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM FOR SALE/RENT American Pool table. Tel#2770578 WANTED

N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way. Affordable package. Call: 6445166/691-2561

Paralegal, must have Immigration experience & Excellent communication skills. Please send CV’s to: moses@rambarranlawfirm.com

Experienced salesgirl at American Variety Store Guyana 140 Regent & Light St Bourda, Georgetown

Male & Female security officers wanted by superior security, age range 25-50. Call: 672-1920

HEALTH

One housekeeper for The Millenium Manor Hotel, Apply in person with application, 43 Hadfield & Camp St

A. Wahab Trading. Wanted sales man with van licence & experienced sales girl #2274861/627-5726/227-6659

Experienced land dredge One female domestic to work workers for Interior, 1 male in Trinidad Age 25-35 yrs. bahir $90,000 monthly #629Phone#1868-386-5302 8280

Sherwin Sharples had taken into consideration the man’s age in comparison to that of the victim and the fact that he used it as an advantage to overpower her. The judge had noted too that although Sharples used his finger to commit the act, this is not seen as sexual or indecent assault but as rape, given the amendments made in the new Sexual Offences Act.

Govt. increases stipends for Mayors, Town Clerks Central Government has received approval from the national assembly to increase the stipends offers to mayors, Town Clerks and other executives of local organs. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan faced questions on the budgetary allocation for the Ministry yesterday from Opposition MPs. He explained that while each organ has the right to stipulate how their officers are paid, central Government was providing increase stipends. As it relates to Mayors, the four hinterland Mayors will receive a monthly stipend of $110,000 and the deputy mayors 85,000. According to

VACANCY

3/4 Acre in Kuru Kuru opposite the monument with water, light & foundation. Tel#669-6320, serious inquiry only!

HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924

A 40-year-old man, who was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for the rape of an 11-year-old girl, withdrew an appeal against the conviction and sentence when the matter came up on Monday at the Court of Appeal. The appeal was brought by Attorney-at-Law Leslie Sobers. In 2015, Gold miner Sherwin Sharples was convicted by a 12-member mixed jury of the offence. It was alleged that on June 10, 2013, at Demerara, Sharples engaged in sexual penetration of an 11-year-old female. He had pleaded not guilty to the offence. His trial was conducted in camera before Justice Dawn Gregory at the Georgetown High Court. State Prosecutors Mercedes Glasford and Michael Shahoud presented the matter. Before handing down sentence, Justice Gregory

VACANCY Vacancy for a domestic maid. Call: 653-4537 Salesgirl & Salesboy for Avinash, Anand’s & Athina’s Branch #226-3361/227-7872 Urgent 1 assistant Cook 1 Domestic. Contact X’s Grill & Cuisine.#695-6550/656-9313 Chef and Assistant cook. Call us on 225-7933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street. Female Cleaner, Office & Home. Age 25-50. Call: 2332745

Bulkan, the six coastal Mayors will enjoy now for the first time a stipend of $75,000 while their deputies will receive $60,000. The Hinterland Town Clerks will receive a stipend of $78,000 while those on the coast $55,000. Bulkan disclosed that the Overseers will receive $40,000 monthly and the NDC Chairs, $10,000 monthly. “Each organ is at their full discretion within their financial means to pay stipends to their chairs and any other officer of the councils,” Bulkan stated. New salaries for the Regional Executive Officers have gone to $347,288 monthly which caters for their annualized increases. They will receive a flat sum of $70,000 representing their duty allowance. Bulkan explained that increased stipends for the Regional Chairs are fairly modest, moving from $284 monthly to $300, while for the Regional Vice Chair, the stipend has moved from $214 to $240. “Payment for these stipends rose out of the recommendations of the National Conference of Local Democratic Organs where the recommendation was made for capacity building and institutional strengthening and the upgrade in the emoluments of the Local Government leaders,” Bulkan told the National Assembly. The Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM) had called for the stipend for Mayors to be increased (Continued on page 24)

Thursday December 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Hinterland Airstrip Rehab attracts bids in excess of $100M (From page 21)

Guyana Revenue Authority - Supply and Delivery of Laptops, Software and Printers

Guyana Revenue Authority - Supply and Delivery of Industrial Document Scanners

Central Housing and Planning Authority - Upgrading of Roads in Region 4Lot 1 - Farm (EBD), Lot 2 - Good Hope (ECD), Lot 3 - Herstelling Plot B (EBD), Lot 4 - Hope/Dochfour (ECD), Lot 5 - Non-Pariel (ECD), Lot 6 - Providence Ph2 (EBD) Central Housing and Planning Authority - Upgrading of Roads in Tabatinga, Lethem, Region 9

Central Housing and Planning Authority - Upgrading of Roads in Region 10Lot 1 - Amelia’s Ward, Lot 2 - Block 22 Wismar, Lot 3 - Ituni, Lot 4 - Kwakwani

Central Housing and Planning Authority - Upgrading of Roads in Kilcoy/Chesney, Berbice, Region 6

Central Housing and Planning Authority - Upgrading of Roads in Region 3Lot 1 - Belle West Ph2, Lot 2 - Schoonord and Onderneeming, Lot 3 - Uitvlugt, Lot 4 - Zeelugt

PAGE 24

Michael Cohen sentenced to 3 years in prison, blames President Trump for his ‘path of darkness’ A federal judge in Manhattan has sentenced Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer, to three years in prison for various crimes including campaign finance violations, tax evasion, and lying to Congress. Before leveling his sent e n c e , J u d g e Wi l l i a m Pauley said “Cohen pled guilty to a veritable smorgasbord of fraudulent conduct” and “lost his moral compass,” adding that “as a lawyer, Mr. Cohen should have known better.” In addition to his imprisonment, Cohen will

Thursday December 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

have to pay $1.39 million in restitution plus $500,000 in forfeiture for the financial and campaign finance crimes. He will face an additional fine of $50,000 for lying to Congress. For more than a decade, Cohen stood by Trump’s side as a personal attorney, fixer and confidant, famously proclaiming that he would “take a bullet for the president” and “never walk away.” But over the past year, as investigators targeted his personal finances, Cohen flipped on his former boss and cooperated in multiple inves-

tigations, including Mueller’s probe, targeting Trump’s campaign and family business operations. Prosecutors in the Justice Department’s Southern District of New York charged Cohen with eight felony counts in August, including tax evasion, making false statements to a financial institution, and campaign finance violations. Special counsel Robert Mueller, tasked with investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, tacked on an additional count of lying to Congress last month.

PUC blocks GTT’s application for... From page 9 landlines key to DSL internet service, this factor has been a sore one. PUC said that the company has purported to have invested heavily in non-current assets for more than a decade, but same is not reflected in expected profit progression or in the quality of the company’s services to its customers. “Having regard to all the factors as mentioned above, it is the view of the Commission that the Company has not presented a

convincing case for the proposed price increases for its landline services. Therefore, the application is denied in its entirety,” the order said. Government has announced a year-end breaking of GTT’s landline and overseas calls monopoly by introducing new players into the industry. The liberalization process has been dragging on a number of years now, with critics blaming the development of the technological sector on poor internet service.

Govt. increases stipends for Mayors,... From page 22 from the meagre $15,000. It was felt that councilors are currently constrained to maintain jobs outside their council responsibilities in order to support themselves and families. GAM had pointed out that it had become blatantly evident

that the responsibilities of offices require a full time commitment, which is not possible without added compensation. In some instances, councilors are precluded from remuneration from time missed at work. Even more unfortunate, some

have lost their jobs. GAM compared G u y a n a ’s m u n i c i p a l i t y stipends to Caribbean countries municipal bodies’ salary. In Jamaica the lowest paid councilor earns GY$181,000, in Trinidad GY$107,000 and in Brazil GY$829,000.

Thursday December 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 13, 2018

Thursday December 13, 2018

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Following audit findings…

Stalled school feeding expansion programme will move ahead in 2019 – Education Minister After the Auditor General red-flagged the execution of the school feeding expansion programme, Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry said that the Government is moving forward in 2019 with the expansion which was halted to facilitate the audit. Defending the Ministry’s budgetary allocation in the National Assembly yesterday, Henry explained that the programme will target new areas, including children of retrenched sugar workers and hinterland communities. “We would have said to the nation that we intend to expand the school feeding programme and we did just that and we will continue to expand the programme further until we address those that

are most vulnerable and disadvantaged. We will go to every vulnerable child and every vulnerable community in this country,” the Minister stated. The Minister was questioned extensively by Opposition MP and former Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, about expenditure for the feeding programme. Manickchand had pointed out that the Ministry had not spent some $2B of its 2017 allocation, including more than $200M from the school feeding programme “I am wondering which schools did not get fed or if it was determined to be enough to feed everybody, then why would you increase it now?”

Manickchand questioned. The Minister explained, “All schools that were already in the programme we were able to feed…The expansion, however, had to be curtailed, because that programme had to be audited and we had to wait until we got the guidance from the auditors based on what was happening, then we moved forward; that is why there was a delay so to speak.” Manickchand noted that effectively, the programme was not executed and questioned if there was a competitive bidding process for the provision of the food items. The Minister stated that the food items are sole-

Khashoggi Murder: Trump stands by Saudi Prince … despite damning CIA Assessment ALJAZEERA - US President Donald Trump has reiterated his support for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, despite CIA assessment that the Saudi royal ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul. Trump refused to comment on whether the crown prince was complicit in the murder, despite pleas from Senators to condemn the gruesome murder of the Washington Post columnist more than two months ago. “He’s the leader of Saudi Arabia. They’ve been a very good ally,” Trump said in an interview in the Oval Office. Asked by Reuters if standing by the kingdom meant standing by MBS, Trump responded: “Well, at this moment, it certainly does.” Trump said that the “crown prince vehemently denies” involvement in a killing that has sparked outrage around the world. The US president has come under fierce criticism from fellow Republicans in the Senate over the issue, particularly after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed them. Last month, the CIA assessed that MBS ordered the killing, which Trump called “very premature”. “You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organised by people under the command of MBS,” Republican Senator

US President Donald Trump Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, said last week. A bipartisan group of Senators introduced a resolution last week saying MBS was complicit in the murder. Trump also said he hoped US senators would not propose stopping arms sales to the Saudis, deals he has doggedly fought to save ever since the gruesome details of Khashoggi’s murder were leaked by Turkey. “And I really hope that people aren’t going to suggest that we should not take hundreds of billions of dollars that they’re going to syphon off to Russia and to China,” Trump said. Trump and his cabinet members have dismissed reports of a CIA assessment that Prince Mohammed ordered the killing. “We have no smoking gun the crown prince was involved, not the intelligence community or anyone else. There is no smoking gun,” Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said last week.

The US president himself said last month that the truth may never come out regarding the Khashoggi murder. “It could very well be that the crown prince had knowledge of this tragic event maybe he did and maybe he didn’t,” Trump said in a muchcriticised statement. This week, the US Senate will consider a joint resolution condemning the crown prince for the killing, something that the president would have to sign or veto if passed by Congress. Trump has said he would meet senators. The US president said he is more open to ending US support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, something several US politicians have pushed for in recent weeks. “Well, I’m much more open to Yemen because frankly, I hate to see what’s going on in Yemen,” Trump said. “But it takes two to tango. I’d want to see Iran pull out of Yemen too. Because - and I think they will.”

Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry sourced from Banks DIH, which has was the case for many years. In 2017, the sum of $2.099B was allotted for dietary under the Ministry of Education according to the Auditor General’s report. During the period under review, the net allotment transfers from Dietary scheme totaled $48.772M, giving a revised allotment of $2.050B. According to the report, the Appropriation Accounts amounts totaling $1.727B were expended as December 31, 2017, resulting in an unspent sum of $323M. An

amount of $1.727B included expenditure for the school feeding programme. An audit examination was done on the records maintained by eleven schools, which included five and six schools in regions seven and nine respectively. The report said that the sum of $73.644M was expended on the programme for eleven schools where 2,189 students benefited from the programme. However, the Auditor General noted the school could not determine whether the sum of $52.512M received

by the eight schools was deposited intact, due to the absence of key documentation, including bank statements. The AG also could not determine whether the monies were properly accounted for with respect to the eleven schools. The report outlined that bank reconciliation statements were not presented for any of the schools. ”The absence of key control measures can lead to the preparation of wrongdoing without prompt detection. The report also highlighted the absence of supervisory checks, which is a key control, which can point to wrongdoing, prompt detection, and the safeguarding of public funds. There was no evidence of supervisory checks of cashbooks by the management committee in three schools. Supervisory checks were also absent in the stock ledgers and goods received books for six schools in Region Nine. Moreover, cash was kept in the personal possession of the treasurer in eight schools. This unsatisfactory situation, it was stated, could lead to wrongdoing. In response to the findings, the Education Ministry acknowledged the lapse in the system. The Education Minister noted that school-feeding programme is transitioning from being centrally managed to community management. The Ministry promised better monitoring will be done.

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 13, 2018

Thursday December 13, 2018

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

NBA roundup: Popovich moves to No. 4 on wins list Bryn Forbes scored a season-high 24 points and pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds to lead a balanced San Antonio attack as the Spurs strolled past the visiting Phoenix Suns 111-86 on Tuesday. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich earned his 1,211th career win, moving him past Pat Riley for fourth place on the all-time NBA coaching victories list. Ahead of him are Don Nelson (1,335), Lenny Wilkens (1,332) and Jerry Sloan (1,221). LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points for San Antonio, which earned a third consecutive victory. Dante Cunningham hit for 14 points. T.J. Warren paced the Suns with 23 points. De’Anthony Melton scored

17, and Deandre Ayton notched 12 points and 11 rebounds for Phoenix, which has lost 10 straight. Rockets 111, Trail Blazers 104 James Harden scored a team-high 29 points, but it was a maligned group of reserves who helped carry host Houston to a come-from-behind victory over Portland. Following a change in their starting lineup, with guard Eric Gordon replacing James Ennis, the Rockets received 37 points from their bench. Gerald Green (13 points), Danuel House Jr. (12) and Nene (10) all scored in double figures to help Houston snap a three-game skid. Rockets guard Chris Paul (11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) sealed the win at the

free-throw line as Portland took its fifth consecutive road loss. Damian Lillard paced the Trail Blazers with 34 points, while CJ McCollum chipped in 22. Raptors 123, Clippers 99 Serge Ibaka scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Toronto ended a two-game losing streak with a blowout win at Los Angeles. Toronto’s Kyle Lowry came in 4-for-28 from the floor over the past four games, but

Sailing: Stars & Stripes ... San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Bryn Forbes (11) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at AT&T Center. (Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports)

Thursday December 13, 2018, ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Maintain an air of detachment, Aries. Feel free to delve into your fantasy world and let your emotions carry you to another realm.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your emotions are soaring, Libra, and you should feel free to indulge in your greatest fantasies. Take a break from reality for a while.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may find that things are much lighter than they were the past couple days, Taurus. This is a good time to let your physical body take a rest and let your mind and fantasy world take over.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Reward yourself with two desserts today, Scorpio. Take a bubble bath. Share your fantasies with others and express yourself fully. Don't feel like you have to say yes to every favor that is asked of you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A large weight should lift from your shoulders today, Gemini. The air has started to clear and the winds of communication have started blowing again.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) The weightiness of the past few days seems to be lifting. You will find a slight breeze building that will help fuel your fire, Sagittarius.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) People may be abrasive today, Cancer, but you will find after careful assessment that they don't mean any harm. More than likely they aren't fully informed. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't criticize the situation until you've come up with a better solution, Leo. Be creative. You can accomplish much if you approach the situation confidently. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your thoughts may have a dreamy quality today, Virgo. You will find that things are less stable than they have been for the past few days. Don't get discouraged by pessimistic people. Offer your own creative solutions.

he shot 8-for-13 while scoring 21 points. Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points off the bench. The Raptors’ leading scorer, Kawhi Leonard, sat out for a rest ahead of a Wednesday road game against the Golden State Warriors.Boban Marjanovic scored 18 points and fellow reserve Tyrone Wallace finished with a season-high 15 points to lead the Clippers, who won in overtime at Phoenix on Monday night. (Field Level Media)

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Now that you have a solid grip on your situation, unexpected things may come along that change the rules again, Capricorn. It may feel like the chair you just got comfortable in has suddenly been pulled out from under you. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Use gadgets and electronic devices to make life easier today, Aquarius. Why take the time to chop food by hand when you can use the food processor? Realize that there is most likely an easier way to tackle any task. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Be careful of the information that comes your way today, Pisces. People may make unwarranted claims and false accusations.

From page 27 said in an emailed statement. “Our name is a nod to Dennis Conner’s ‘Stars & Stripes’ campaigns that defined all-American America’s

Cup racing for decades. We are the next generation,” Buckley said. The America’s Cup, which is being sponsored by Italian fashion house Prada and is often referred to as the “Auld Mug”, was first raced for off the south coast of England in 1851 when it was won by the schooner America. It has been in American trophy cabinets for many of the intervening years, but was lost in 2017 by Larry Ellison’s Oracle Team USA who were comprehensively beaten by the New Zealanders. The new U.S. challenger will join Luna Rossa from Italy, American Magic from the United States, Malta Altus Challenge and INEOS Team UK in the quest to take on Emirates Team New Zealand. Stars & Stripes has enlisted 29-year-old Canfield, who it says has been ranked the number one match racer in the world for three of the past five years. “This will be a defining moment for American sailing... It has been my professional goal to compete in the America’s Cup my whole life and I am confident we will be very competitive in Auckland,” Canfield said.

PAGE 30

Thursday December 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

GFF/Stag Super 16 Knockout tourney

Battle lines drawn from tomorrow @ GFC; defending champs GDF aiming to repeat By Franklin Wilson From tomorrow evening at the GFC ground, the former Mecca of the sport in Guyana will be seeking to reclaim some of that glory when it hosts the first day of the Guyana Football Federation / STAG Super 16 Knockout Championship which has at stake close to Five millions in cash and prizes on offer. Defending champions, the Guyana Defence Force will be taking on the lads from Guyana’s biggest County, Essequibo Combined in feature action, while the curtain raiser features East Demerara’s Buxton United against Rivers View of Bartica from 18:00hrs. This championship presents welcome high level entertainment for the fans in and around Guyana as it brings to the football square the best teams at the highest level, GFF Super League matching skills with some of the best clubs in GFF Members Associations, while in the case of Essequibo and Berbice, they have decided to combine their skills and hopefully they will be more potent in their quest for glory. Some upsets are likely as the more established teams sometimes tend to be complacent and take the lesser teams for granted as was the case in the 2017/18 championship when East Bank’s Grove Hi Tech downed some big guns the likes of Fruta Conquerors to emerge from the group of death and lost to the GDF in the final 2-0. This year’s championship is anticipated to be keener as teams have been putting in the hard work to ensure that

they put their best feet forward in order to be in the reckoning for the top prize of Two Million dollars. The losing finalist is guaranteed One Million, while the winner of the third place match will collect $500,000; the top four clubs will also be awarded trophies and equipment as part of the prize packages. GDF Head Coach Bilal Namtambu who guided his team to the last championship was very cautious in offering any comment but stated that their objective is to repeat as champions. ”However I’m sure that’s every team’s goal. So we’ll just have to wait and see. Our first game is against unknown opposition, so it’s our intention to play our football, which is possession, patience and speed.” The GDF’s opponent tomorrow night, Essequibo Combined did cause some headaches for more established teams the last time they competed at the national level and this time around would be seeking to do the same. Travis Bowen commented on behalf of the Cinderella County: “Our first game is the GDF which is an Elite team. But at the same time, this is football we going to play and they can have a bad day on any given day. We have nothing to lose, so we have to give it our best shot.” Buxton United have been around for some years now and apart from winning the 2012/13 edition of the Kashif and Shanghai year-end championship have not really been as clinical as back then but as one of their leading tacticians said, they are always aiming

Rivers View FC – Bartica to best their opponents and who knows what this competition might bring with it. Their opponent, Rivers View of Bartica emerged as the best in the association which is on a path of redemption on and off the field of play. Like Essequibo, Rivers View might be an unknown but the game is played on the day and they too will be an ambitious unit as they seek to topple Buxton. Two potentially exciting matches are on the cards for the fans. Following tomorrow’s double header, Sunday will serve up another two games at the same venue; this time though, Fruta Conquerors will take on Berbice Combined in opening play at 18:00hrs with Western Tigers clashing with Police in the main attraction which will be a fierce tussle. GDF: Enoch Carmichael, Delon Adams, Cedric Osborne, Aubrey Greene, Trevis Henry, Jerome

FIFA suspends Afghanistan football chief after women’s team abuse investigation LONDON (Reuters) - Global soccer body FIFA has provisionally banned the president of the Afghan Football Federation (AFF) Keramuddin Keram from all football-related activities due to an ongoing probe into allegations of abuse in the country’s women’s team.Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani ordered an investigation after Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported last month that senior figures linked to the Afghan women’s team had alleged that some players had been molested by officials from the football federation. Keram and five other officials had already been suspended from their roles in Afghanistan at the weekend, before FIFA’s statement yesterday. “The investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has provisionally

banned Mr Keramuddin Keram... from all football-related activities at both national and international level,” FIFA said. “This provisional measure expires 90 days after its notification and may be extended pending proceedings on the merits of the case.“This sanction has been imposed in connection with ongoing investigations concerning AFF officials, as reported by local authorities and published by some media.”FIFA said Keram’s sanction came into force immediately.According to the Guardian, the alleged abuse took place inside the federation’s headquarters in Afghanistan as well as at a training camp in Jordan last February.The AFF has denied the allegations and said it would fully cooperate with any probe.

Randy De Jonge, Daniel Henry, Christopher Belfield – Essequibo Richardson, Shaun Arthur, Eusi Phillips, Delwin Fraser (Captain), Delroy Ferdinand, Keron Joseph, Darrel George, Delroy Fraser, Jeffery Perreira, Clifford Garraway, Abumchi Benjamin, Kenneth Oparaemetuche, Sherwyn Caesar, Amos Ramsey, Kenard Simon, Cargill Young, Jamal Campbell, Ryan Roberts. Essequibo Combined: Xavier Fernandes, Christopher Belfield, Randy De Jonge, Andron Fernandes, Rederigo John, Wesley John, Vaughn Fredricks, Andy Atkinson, Rodwell Wilson, Bobby David, Miguel Roberio, Kevon Jones, D e x t e r Mendonca, Lindon Hackman, Tion Mendonca, Ridley, Williams, Sheldon Pitt, Travis Joyce, Gavin Juke, Sevon David, Nurvan Beaton, Daniel Grimmond, Odel Hubbard, Oswin Henry. Buxton United: Darren Marks, Rayshawn Simon, Jason Cromwell, David Wilson, Kifamb Goodman, Kevin David Ronaldo Fredricks, Ralph Maffat, Maurice Barnes, Jeremiah Thorne, Denver Dennis, Dillon Wright,

Jason Cromwell, Denver Dennis – Buxton United Toroni Semple, Hughe Michael-Phyll, Paul Kingston, Timothy Albert, Tyrone Harper, Shemar Fraser, Yumany Armstrong, Jamar Harrigon, Derrick Blair, Nixon Robertson, Denzil Junior, Adam Gonsalves. Rivers View FC: Andel Norton, Aloysius Edwards, Anzel Edwards, Andrew

Simmons, Aldrin Benjamin, Brian Joseph, Cleon Joris, Don Lamb, Dane McIntyre, Elton Thomas, Godfred Norton, George Mentis, Mark Richards, McQuain Smith, Omareo Lake, Raynel Frank, Shaquille Hopkinson, Traves Burnett, Kevin Reddy, Ronaldo Parris, Kevin Wailoo, Bert Tilbury.

Thursday December 13, 2018

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Rose RHTYSC Cricket Teams Christmas Village gets support The ten cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS from the 21st to 24th December, 2018, would be hosting their fourth annual Christmas Village in the compound of the Rose Hall Town Primary School. The Teams would also be hosting their 28th Annual multi-million Christmas Charity Programme.The teams King Solomon Logistics Under-12, Poonai Pharmacy Under-13, Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Female, Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and First Divisions over the last two months have been busy and over the last two weeks preparing for both the Christmas Village and Charity programme. Long serving RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster and Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu are spearheading the preparation for the programmes. The teams over the last week received assistance from overseas based Guyanese

Brian Ramphal and Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh along with Mr. Colin Elcock of Delmur Shipping, Noreen Gaskin, CEO of Sentinel Security and the First Lady Mr. Sandra Granger. Ramphal, Singh, Elcock and Gaskin donated financially towards purchasing of toys and food items. First Lady Sandra Granger, wife of the Club’s Honourary Patron, His Excellency President David Granger donated a large quantity of toys. Foster expressed gratitude to the donors and reassured them that the donations would be used for the intended purpose. Foster stated that while preparation for the Village and Charity Programme started late due to the hectic Berbice Cricket Season, plans are falling in place for a successful venture. The teams would be sharing out $3M worth of food hampers, clothing, educational materials and toys to children and less fortunate families in Berbice. The teams would also be transforming the compound of the Primary School into a dreamland for children. The Christmas Village would include the Nativity Scene, 20

Dr. Puran Singh hands over the sponsorship to Hilbert Foster on behalf of his brother Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh. feet Christmas Village, Christmas Star, inflatable Christmas Characters, Children games, Santa and his Sleigh, Bouncy Castles, trampoline and ply board cut out characters among others. The Cricket Clubs would like to encourage children to visit the Village with their parents.

Priya Rampersaud of Sentinel Security hands over cheque to Hilbert Foster.

Soesdyke Secondary made solid start at NSC Windball cricket

Blind Spanish surfer says sea sets her free, goes for world title SALINAS, Spain (Reuters) - Carmen Lopez can only imagine what the sea looks like, but the blind 21year-old Spaniard is in her element riding the surf. Guided by instinct and signals whistled by her coach, Lopez has been training hard to become Spain’s first blind female athlete to enter the World Adaptive Surfing Championship in La Jolla, California, yesterday. “The sea is where I feel peace and freedom, as if it were where I’m supposed to be,” she said sitting on her surfboard after an hour and a half of wave-riding practice in the Bay of Biscay in northern Spain.“I’m not different from other surfers,” said Lopez, who was born with congenital glaucoma and lost her vision completely when she was a child.In its fourth edition, the La Jolla event for surfers with disabilities features its first team competition for visuallyimpaired female athletes, with Lopez representing Spain. Blind surfers such as Lopez’ countryman Aitor Francesena or Brazilian Derek Rabelo have achieved legendary status in the sport, and Lopez, who only took up surfing a few months ago, is aiming high. After the La Jolla tournament, organized by the International Surfing Association

Some of the teams prior to the start of play.

Carmen Lopez Garcia, Spains first blind female surfer is watched by her coach Lucas Garcia during training at Salinas beach, Spain. (Reuters, Eloy Alonso) (ISA), Lopez aims to compete in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. ISA has been campaigning to make adaptive surfing a Paralympic sport. Lopez has also practiced figure-skating and horseriding and her coach and friend Lucas Garcia praised her natural balance and instinct. Garcia, who swims next to Lopez when she surfs, is her ‘eyes’ when it comes to telling her about a wave coming up. “A single whistle means the wave is coming on her right side, and a double whistle, on her left side,” he said, likening the signals to the way dolphins communicate.Lopez wants to

encourage others with disabilities to challenge their limitations, live a full life and perhaps try out radical sports.

Soesdyke Secondary School have made a solid start to this year’s National Sports Commission AL Sport and Tour Promotions 27th Annual Christmas Term school boys Windball Cricket competition recently at the National Gymnasium. Soesdyke Secondary defeated Tucville Secondary by nine wickets in their opening encounter. Tucville Secondary batted first and made 89-5 with Dwayne Jones scoring 32; Tyrell Lovell had 2-12. Soesdyke in reply made 92-1. T. Lovell struck 48 and Chris Browne 24. Central High beat Carmel Secondary by 14 runs. Batting first, Central High posted 127-1. Deonarine Tiwari slammed

70 while Joshua Thomas got 22. Carmel Secondary managed 113 without loss in reply. Jomal Dos Santos stroked 79 and Malachi Shepherd 28. Soesdyke Secondary overcame East Ruimveldt Secondary by four wickets. East Ruimveldt Secondary made 97-3, taking first turn in the middle with Jaifet George scoring 33 and Renaldo Baldeo 24; Chris Browne picked up two wickets. Soesdyke Secondary responded with 101 -6 winning the game off the last ball; Devon Williams scored 35; Timothy Prescott captured three wickets.

Sailing: Stars & Stripes Team USA joins challengers for America’s Cup LONDON (Reuters) Stars & Stripes Team USA has been accepted by holders Emirates Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron as the fifth challenger for the 36th America’s Cup, which will take place in Auckland in 2021.

The team was co-founded by sailors Mike Buckley and Taylor Canfield and represents the first all-American team in more than 15 years to compete for the oldest trophy in international sport, Long Beach Yacht Club (Continued on page 29)

U.S. syndicate Team Dennis Conner’s Stars and Stripes competes in Day One of Round Robin 1 of the Louis Vuitton Cup on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand October 1, 2002. (REUTERS/Brendan O’Hagan)

PAGE 32

Thursday December 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

Coach Crandon wants batsmen to build on starts As Guyana face Hurricanes in Antigua from today By Sean Devers Guyana Jaguars began their campaign for a 12th Regional First-Class title and fifth in a row with a 126 runs win over the Windwards Volcanoes at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia in the first round of the 2018/ 2019 season. Jaguars made 224 in their first innings with Test batsman Vishaul Singh 75 and allrounder Romario Shepherd 44 doing the bulk of the scoring. Volcanoes replied with 187 as Clinton Pestano (4-46) got support from Veerasammy Permaul (3-2) before Jaguars, batting a second time declared on 310-4. Tagenarine Chanderpaul top scored with an ultra-cautious unbeaten 84 with just three boundaries from 334 balls with 271 of them not scored from. Clinton Pestano 69, Chris Barnwell 61 not out and Leon Johnson 51 also got half centuries but none of them converted their scores into three-figures. “The batters are now get-

ting into their grove. We need them to go on and get big scores. I would like our batters to put a price on their wicket,” said the 36-year-old Jaguars Head Coach Esuan Crandon. Hurricanes set 348 to win, fell for 222 as Permaul (3-56) and Shepherd, Barnwell and Pestano had two wickets each. “The bowlers hit some good areas on the pitch created pressure and were very aggressive, but I would like them to be more patient and consistent,” added the Berbician with 90 wickets from 38 First-Class games from 2001 to 2011. “I thought we played some good all round cricket. It was our first game of the season and we won it quite convincingly. I was most satisfied with the way the guys fought throughout the game. They displayed great character during difficult periods and when we were in trouble during the first innings we saw a few fighting efforts to

Head Coach Esuan Crandon & Rayon Griffith have build this team into a winning unit. get us to a respectable total,” said Guyana’s most successful First-Class Coach. Crandon said he was pleased with the way the guys fought throughout the game. “They displayed great character during difficult pe-

BCB to conclude 2018 Cricket Season with 30th Tournament The Berbice Cricket Board on Monday 17th December, 2018, would start its final Tournament for the year as the curtains come down on the busiest year in the Board’s seventy nine years history. Seventeen teams would participate in the 2019 Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 Tournament as the vibrant Board starts early preparation for the Guyana Cricket Board 2019 Inter-county Season. It would be the 30th Cricket Tournament by the Berbice Cricket Board this year at different levels. Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster disclosed that the Board has already started preparation for 2019 at the Under-15 and Female levels by starting the Mike’s Pharmacy Under-15 and Nand Persaud Female Tournaments. The Under-19 preparation would start early in January with the hosting of the New York Business Group 50-Overs Tournament. Plans to select the Berbice Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 Teams by this yearend have been pushed back to mid January due to the busy cricket schedule. The date of birth cut off is the 1st September, 2002, while the seventeen teams would be divided into three zones with two advanc-

- 2019 Sarwan Under-17 bowls off on Monday ing from Zone A, and three each from Zone B and C to the quarterfinals. Zone A consists of Blairmont Community Centre A and B, Achievers Cricket Club, Bush Lot United Cricket Club, D’Edward Cricket Club, Paradise Cricket Club, while Zone B would feature Tucber Park Cricket Club, Mt Sinai Cricket Club, Kendall’s Union Cricket Club, Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club and Edinburgh Cricket Club. Zone C would involve six teams, Albion Community Centre A and B, Rose Hall Town Bakewell A and B, Port Mourant Cricket Clun and No. 73 Cricket Club. The Berbice Cricket Board would like to remind teams that all players shall be properly attired in white and that teams who fail to turn up fifteen minutes before game time, shall lose their rights to the toss. Walkover would also be granted after half hour and the team giving the walkover would be disqualified from the Tournament. The Berbice Cricket Board would like to express gratitude to former West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan for his

sponsorship of the tournament for the second time. Rose Hall Town Bakewell defeated Albion in the 2018 final to lift the title. Fixture for the opening round of matches Monday 17th December: Zone A: 1. Blairmont Com Centre A vs Blairmont Com Centre B @ D’Edward 2. Achievers Cricket Club vs D’Edward @ Bush Lot. 3. Paradise Cricket Club vs Bush Lot United Cricket Club @ Paradise. Zone B: 1. Tucber Park Cricket Club vs Mt Sinai Cricket Club @ Mt Sinai 2. Kendall’s Union Cricket Club vs Edinburgh Cricket Club @ No. 19 3. Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club draw BYE Zone C: 1. Albion Com Centre vs Port Mourant Cricket Club @ Port Mourant 2. RHT Bakewell B vs No. 73 Cricket Club @ No. 73 3. RHT Bakewell A vs Albion B @ Hampshire

riods and when we were in trouble during the first innings we saw a few fighting efforts to get us to a respectable total,” stated Crandon. Jaguars are on an 11 game unbeaten streak; having not lost a match since the final game of the 2016/17 season when Leewards Hurricanes beat them in St Kitts. These two teams clash in Antigua from today and Te s t d i s c a r d G u y a n e s e Rajendra Chandrika who made four and duck in the opening round a part of the Hurricanes squad. Johnson, one the batsmen who got to fifty but did not build on that score, improved his Capacity record with the win in St Lucia to 28 wins from 43 games with five losses, a tie and nine draws. Crandon informed that before the game the support staff would make an assessment of the conditions and what to expect.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul defends during his carefully constructed unbeaten 84 in the first round.

Clinton Pestano was the Man-of-the Match against Volcanoes. “We have to own the conditions. We have to utilize knowledge of the conditions

here and make the necessary adjustments during the match,” Crandon explained.

German’s Restaurant on-board with GFF ExxonMobil/STAG Beer International Futsal German’s Restaurant, one of the oldest establishments of its kind in Georgetown, yesterday, announced their alliance with the December 27 – 30 ExxonMobil/STAG Beer International Futsal tournament. The tournament, hosted by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and organised by the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, will see Morvant Caledonia AIA from Trinidad and Tobago, along with ZV All-Stars from Suriname, and a Brazilian side from the state of Sau Paulo, all invading Guyana to take on a National Select Futsal team and a representative each from Linden, West Demerara and Georgetown. While handing over a cheque of an undisclosed amount at his entity’s Kingston location, Clinton Urling, proprietor of Germans

Restaurant, sees his support as part of his social responsibility as a businessman, while adding that “sports reaches a wide cross-section of youths and fans over all, and here at Germans, we use any opportunity we get.” According to Urling, the involvement of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation was also one of the main reason for him supporting the tournament, and noted that his entity is “looking to both organisations (GFF and K&S) hosting a successful tournament and we’ll be back again next year.” The winning side of the first International Futsal tournament to be hosted in Guyana, will pocket $1.2M, while second through fourth place will go home with $600,000, $300,000 and $100,000 respectively.

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 13, 2018

VOS Invitational Meet in Suriname By Sean Devers u y a n a ’ s swimmers will leave here today f o r G u y a n a ’s D u t c h neighbour Suriname to participate in the VOS Invitational Meet this weekend in Paramaribo, the largest City in the smallest sovereign state in South America. The Meet is set for Saturday and Sunday and Team Guyana will comprise four clubs; Swim Academy Sea Octer, Orca, Silver Sharks and Dolphin, while the Dorado swim club has opted to go to Trinidad for the ASATT Swim Meet held in December of each year. The over 50 swimmers and their supporters will leave in two batches; today and tomorrow and they will compete in the six years and under, 7-8, 9-10, 11 and over in addition to Boys, Girls and mixed 50x4 relay and 100 IM. “Our focus will be on the Boys relay which is our strongest chance of winning and the 11 and over,” informed Head Coach Sean Baksh during the swimmers last training session from 17:00hrs to 19:00hrs at the Aquatic Centre on the East Coast of Demerara. The Guyanese will vie for top honours in four relays while competing in two mixed relays (Boys & Girls) and the first batch which includes the Coach will arrive in the 64,000 Square-

G

PAGE 33

Guyana’s swimmers depart for Dutch Nation today

Mile Nation this evening and hope to get some time before the Event commences. This competition will be contested in a 25-meter Pool since the local season ends with short course races. This competition can be considered motivational especially for those who missed out in this year’s Goodwill games in Barbados the youngest swimmer in the Guyanese continent is nineyear-old Shareefah Lewis while a lot is expected of 12year-old local swimming sensation Aleka Persaud who broke six records in 1112 events in this year’s Goodwill games; breaking the 28.77 in the 50 meters freestyle record with a stunning time of 27.95 which is fastest time over that distance in any age group by a Guyanese girl.“Aleka is immensely talented as her times indicate, plus she has age on her side. We will try to get her ready for the 2024 Olympics,” said Coach Baksh. The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held in Paris, France, for a third time, exactly one hundred years after the city’s last Summer Olympics in 1924. Coach Baksh says the standard of swimming in Guyana is good and should get better with hard work by Swimmers and more Government and Corporate support. “We ended third in the Goodwill games on home

Team Guyana before their final training session at the Aquatic Centre on Tuesday. (Sean Devers photo) soil in 2017 and fourth in this year’s games but I would say our performances this year was better despite our placings,” Coach Baksh added.Coach Baksh informed there are programmes to develop and expose hinterland swimmers since many from the interior showed promise in the National Schools Swimming Championships but struggled with technique, especially with turning off the Wall since they are no pools in the Hinterland. Coach Baksh said their last Open Water Swim event was held at Lake Mainstay as one of our outreach programmes. “FINA is helping to fund our outreach programmes and in fact, it was the Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sidney Allicock who

opened the Open Water Meet at Lake Mainstay,” revealed Coach Baksh. The City based Coach said getting a Pool constructed in the Hinterland will not be an easy task but added that there are ongoing talks with the Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sports Dr George Norton on this issue among others for Hinterland swimmers.

Aleka Persaud broke 6 records in the 2018 Goodwill Games.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 34

Thursday December 13, 2018

PAGE 30

Adrian Fernandes is GMRSC Endurance Series best driver Team Wreckers' Adrian Fernandes copped the 2018 champion driver accolade for the Endurance series at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC) awards ceremony which was held on Tuesday evening at GT Motorsports on Thomas Lands.After an undefeated year with his Toyota Levin, Adrian Fernandes scored 75 points to be crowned the overall champion driver, while Balram Ramdeo with 228 points was deemed the best mechanic.Last Sunday, Fernandes and team amassed a total of 86 laps over two hours of driving at the South Dakota circuit in the final round. His team edged out Motilall Deodass, who finished just one lap adrift of the winners in the overall as well as 1501-1600cc class.Team Principal Anand Ramchand said his team worked overtime to ensure they remain champions. In the Unlimited category, Romeo Singh with 43 was the champion driver, while in the 1601cc-2000cc, Roshan Ali and Shan Seejattan had a threeway tie of 25 points with Syed Hassan, Mohamed Ali and Rameez Mohamed.Rameez Mohamed, who happens to be the incumbent president of the GMRSC, was given a special plaque for setting a new outer circuit record of 1 minute 17.026 seconds. Driving his Honda Civic in the unlimited class, he was able to break a record which was set by Eric Vieira back in 1972.

Balram Ramdeo was awarded best Mechanic.

Adrian Fernandes collects his trophies from GMRSC Cheryl Gonsalves. (Newsroom photo)

BCB/Nand Persaud Co. Female Cricket Tournament RHT Metro Female beat

combined Canje/Tucber Park Team as BCB starts 29th Tourney

F

emale Cricketers in Berbice on Monday last started to play in the Berbice Cricket Board organised Nand Persaud Female Cricket Tournament. The historic tournament is being played on a best of three basis between the Rose Hall Town Metro Female Team and a combined team f r o m N e w Amsterdam/Canje area. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS is the only club in Guyana to have its own functioning full strength Female Team, while New Amsterdam/Canje team consists of players from the Tucber Park and Rose Hall Canje Cricket Clubs. West Indies players Shemaine Campbelle, Tremayne Smartt captained the Rose Hall Town Metro and New Amsterdam/Canje teams respectively. Rose Hall Town Metro

won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Shabiki Gajnabi and Kimmone Thomas added 50 for the first wicket before Gajnabi was bowled by A. Duggins for 40 which included six boundaries. Thomas was joined by Sherica Campbelle, cousin of Shemaine and they added 40 for the 2nd wicket. Thomas was then bowled by Tremayne Smartt for 16 and then Smartt bowled Berbice Senior Player Mariam Samaroo for eight to leave Rose Hall Town Metro 123 for 3 in the 18th over. Campbelle and another Berbice all rounder Dian Prahalad joined forces and stroked the ball delightfully around the ground to add 30 before Campbelle departed for a well played 60, caught off the bowling of the impressive Smartt. Sassie Munroe was run out for 01 but Prahalad 16 not out and Plaffiana

Millington 07 not out carried their team to 169 for 5 off their allotted twenty five overs. Smart ended with 3 for 16 from four overs, while A. Duggins took 1 for 24. The combined team never looked like reaching their target of 169 against an experienced Rose Hall Town Metro bowling attack spearheaded by Erva Giddings, Gajnabi, Millington and Prahalad. They were dismissed for 46 from sixteen overs. Only Smartt 21 not out and A. Duggins 13 reached double figures as Guyana offspinner Plaffiana Millington took 5 for 7 from five very impressive overs, while Sherica Campbelle 2 for 8 supported well. Giddings 32-5-1 and Prahalad 1 for 10 also bowled well. President of the BCB Hilbert Foster told the Female cricketers that the Board would use the current

Plaffiana Millington, Sherica Campbelle, Tremayne Smartt and Shabiki Gajnabi. tournament to select the Berbice Senior Team for the 2019 Inter-county Tournament. The eighteen-player squad would be announced

after the completion of the tournament to start early preparation under Coach Winston Smith and Senior players Shemaine C a m p b e l l e , Tr e m a y n e

Smartt and Erva Giddings. The President also committed the Berbice Cricket Board to organising at least three female tournaments in 2019.

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 13, 2018

PAGE 35

Trophy Stall Badminton tournament Leguan All Stars claim Winston Murray Memorial softball trophy hits off tomorrow James Bond presenting the trophy to the victorious Leguan All stars team.

Devi Sunich of Trophy Stall (left), make a presentation to Guyana and reigning Caribbean Champion, Priyanna Ramdhani and another player.

T

he annual Trophy Stall Badminton tournament will serve off from tomorrow at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue and Princes Street with two days of anticipated match ups between Guyana’s best in the Senior and Junior categories.During the week, Devi Sunich; wife of Proprietor of Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich, made a presentation to Guyana and reigning

Caribbean Champion, Priyanna Ramdhani, as the company cemented their support of Badminton in the ‘land of many waters’.Playing tomorrow will see action in the senior male and female categories from 17:30hrs to 22:00hrs, while the action in the Junior categories will get underway on Saturday from 12:00hrs to 15:00hrs with the Senior and Junior finals set being contested from 15:00hrs on Saturday.

Leguan All Stars won the Winston Murray 10th Annual Memorial Female Softball competition played at the Enterprise Ground recently. In the six overs final, Leguan All stars batted first and scored 45-2, with player of the final Narisa Azad scoring 26 and Keisha Tucker 15. Georgetown AL Sport and Tour Promotions School girls team replied with 26-2; Siana Abrams made 10. Other Awards

went to 10-year old Briana Samaroo for taking the most catches and Nekella Trotz for picking up the most wickets. The organiser Mark Walkes would like to thank all those who made the tournament possible including, Hon Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, Richard Van West Charles, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, James Bond, Courtney Benn, Alvin Rambarran, Modern Optical Service and Bruce Vieira.

Smalta and Icool boost KFC Goodwill Cup

T

he historic fourt e a m K F C G o o d w i l l Schools’ football Cup kicks off Saturday at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground and Ansa Mcal through their Smalta and Icool brands have not wasted the opportunity to support this inaugural tournament which will see local teams and one from Trinidad & Tobago matching skills in a round-robin format. Petra Organisation’s codirector, Troy Mendonca, thanked Ansa Mcal for their continued support, “Not only on the behalf of our company but also on the behalf of the entire football fraternity, we (Petra) want to acknowledge Ansa Mcal and we know that this partnership will go a very far way for the development of football.” Mendonca further noted that this tournament in is keeping with Petra Organisation’s vision of developing football at the school level and, “We hope this tournament will serve as a motivation for them going forward in their career.” The three local teams in

A n n a n d a l e S e c o n d a r y, C h r i s t i a n b u r g / Wi s m a r Secondary School (CWSS) of Linden, Annai Secondary of Region Nine will be joined by T&T’s 2016 School league champions, Shiva’s Hindu College in three-days of scintillating action. “We at Ansa Mcal over the years have been very pleased with Petra in their quest to promote and develop football,” explained the sponsor ’s Business Development Manager, Errol Nelson. Nelson further noted that, “There are many tournaments throughout the year but few at the grassroots or development level and we know that this tournament will be a success.” The fixtures of the tournament have been released and each day’s (15th, 18th and 22nd of December) play will witness a double header with games at 17:00hrs and 19:00hrs. Saturday’s games will see CWSS playing Annandale first before Annai clash with Shiva’s Hindu College in the feature match. On the 18th, CWSS will play Annai first followed by

From left, Errol Nelson, Icool brand coordinator Fharis Mohamed, Petra’s Mark Alleyne and Troy Mendonca during the simple presentation of sponsorship at the MOE ground yesterday. feature play between Annandale and Shiva’s Hindu College.

And, the final match day will pit Annandale against Annai at 17:00hrs while the

final match of the tournament will be an anticipated clash between

Linden’s CWSS and the fearsome youngsters from T&T at 19:00hrs.

rt o p S GFF/Stag Super 16 Knockout tourney

Battle lines drawn from tomorrow @ GFC; defending champs GDF aiming to repeat P.30

Team GDF pose with the GFF Super-16 year end classic Championship trophy after defeating Grove Hi Tech.

German’s Restaurant on-board Adrian Fernandes is GMRSC 34P. with GFFExxonMobil/STAG Beer Endurance Series best driver International Futsal P.32

GFF representative Lakeisha Pearson receiving the sponsor’s cheque from German’s Restaurant’s proprietor Clinton Urling. Also in photo is Co-Director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation Kashif Muhammad.

Adrian Fernandes collects his trophies from GMRSC Cheryl Gonsalves. (Newsroom photo)

Coach Crandon wants batsmen to build on starts As Guyana face Hurricanes in Antigua from today

P.32

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.