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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
Saturday December 15, 2018
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Magistrate finds case against Trini who faked own kidnapping but allows him to leave jurisdiction A City Magistrate yesterday granted permission to a Trinidadian, who faked his kidnapping, to leave the jurisdiction and return to his homeland, despite finding sufficient evidence against him for the related offences. Sawak Maraj, 33, a Chemical Engineer, was yesterday told by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore that, after going through the entirety of the evidence led by Police Prosecutor Dominic Bess, she was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that a prima facie case has been made out against him for the offences. Hence, he was called upon to lead a defence in the matter. Particulars of the first charge against Maraj alleged that on October 27, last, at Georgetown, he knowingly gave false information to the police, stating that he was kidnapped and that his abductors demanded US$700,000 for his release. It was further alleged that on the same day at Madewini Resort, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, Maraj conspired with other persons to negotiate to obtain a ransom
of US$700,000. The Trinidadian pleaded not guilty to both charges and was released on $1M bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on his second court appearance after spending three weeks on remand for the offences. A condition of the bail was that Maraj lodge his passport with the Clerk of Court until the hearing and determination of the trial in the G e o rg e t o w n Magistrates’ Courts. However, when the matter was called yesterday, Maraj opted to give an unsworn testimony to the court. He stated “Your worship, I am a qualified engineer and police have a copy of my degree. I came to Guyana seeking a job from Exxon Mobil.” Maraj went on to tell the court that he was contacted by one Jason Abraham, who was acting on behalf of ExxonMobil, who responded to an email he had sent to the company’s email address. The Trinidadian went on to tell the court that he came to Guyana with legitimate expectation and full
confidence, after hearing about the findings that Exxon made offshore at one of their exploration area. He further added that, on arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), he met a man by the name of Abraham, who led him into a taxi which had one other person apart from the driver. A composed Maraj went on to tell the court that he was driven to several locations and that’s when he realized that something was wrong. He told the court that he was taken to a hotel and a cutlass was placed to his throat, and he was threatened. “I became very afraid; I knew no one and I was very confused. I was visibly relieved when the police came shortly after my capturers had fled,” he told the court. He added that the taxi driver wrote a statement which cleared his name from charges and assisted the police to form a case against him. “I am not guilty of any of these charges. Your worship, at no point and time did I agree with anyone to fake my kidnapping. All this time, I still believed that
Abraham was a bona fide employer of Exxon, who was at the airport to facilitate as a recipient on Exxon’s behalf,” Maraj noted. Soon after Maraj concluded his testimony, his lawyer Senior Counsel Bernard DeSantos made an application for his client to return to Trinidad, and return to Guyana on his next court date, which is set for February 2, 2019. The application of the lawyer did not sit well with Prosecutor Bess, who strongly objected to Maraj’s passport being returned to him. The Prosecutor added that he was not satisfied that Maraj would return to Guyana if his travel documents were returned to him. The lawyer then told the court that his client had been in Guyana for the past year and had been finding it difficult to maintain himself. He added that, if the court is mindful, his client’s mother was willing to lodge $500,000 to the bail which was set at $1M to guarantee that his client will return to Guyana.
AG report provides irrefutable evidence of worrying increase of Treasury overdraft -Goolsarran Chartered Accountant and former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran is maintaining that the Treasury overdraft is indeed increasing at a worrying rate. He is also insisting that the overdraft is estimated to jump to $210B with Budget 2019. According to Goolsarran, one merely needs to examine the Auditor General’s 2017 report for proof of this. His comments would come in wake of
those recently made by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. The economist had disputed Goolsarran’s estimates. The Minister told sections of the media that the overdraft on the Consolidated Fund a few days ago was just $62.157 billion. On this premise, he said that it would be a stretch for anyone to say that the overdraft would be pushed to $210B with the 2019
budget. Be that as it may, Goolsarran is maintaining his position. In a statement to Kaieteur News, he said, “Having examined the reports of the Auditor General for the years 1992 to 2017, we estimate that the overdraft would reach $210 billion by the end of 2019. I had produced a table showing how we arrived at this figure. (Continued on page 15)
Trinidadian Sawak Maraj
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Saturday December 15, 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
IMPROVEMENTS IN HEALTH CARE Universal Health Day also known as Universal Health Coverage Day was observed on Wednesday, last, under the theme “United for Universal Health: Now is the time for collective action.” The occasion is celebrated annually to ensure that all people and all communities everywhere have access to quality health services without discrimination of any kind and without suffering financial hardship. It is also to ensure that people receive full coverage of a range of health services, including health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care. It is to provide health care coverage to everyone when they need it, wherever they are.Universal Health Coverage Day was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), which in 1948, declared that health is a fundamental human right issue, regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age or citizenship. This year more than 100 countries around the world, including Guyana, have vowed to strengthen their primary health care systems as an essential step toward achieving universal health coverage. It is the first time that world leaders have committed to primary health care in order to attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2030.Universal health coverage is fundamental to ensuring the social protection for health. It is a critical component of sustainable development and poverty reduction, and a key element of any effort to reduce social inequities within countries. In most countries the poorest populations often face the highest health risks and need more health care services. Universal health coverage has a direct impact on a population’s health and welfare. Access and use of health services enables people to be healthier, more productive and active contributors to their communities. It also ensures that children can go to school and learn, and that people are not pushed into poverty when they have to pay for health services. Universal health coverage is the hallmark of a government’s commitment to improve the wellbeing of all its citizens. It provides an entire population with access to good quality services, including medical personnel, medicines and technologies. However, having high quality universal health care is not something that can be achieved overnight, but all countries can take action to move more rapidly towards it, or to maintain the gains they have already made. These efforts will require a system by governments to protect people from financial hardship and impoverishment from health care costs.The dilemma for most countries, in particular lowincome countries, is that they do not have the financial resources to provide everyone with all the health care services they would need, even with the large increases in external donor assistance from the wealthy countries. But even though the wealthy countries have the resources, many, including the United States have not made much progress in providing universal health coverage to all their citizens. Some have implemented mandatory contributions for people to pay through taxation and/or compulsory contributions for health insurance.That said, countries at all income levels can take steps to improve universal health coverage including Guyana, which over the years has made tremendous progress in providing essential quality health care services to all who reside within its borders. Given its population density of four persons per square kilometre and the remoteness of small pockets of its population in the hinterland areas, providing quality and affordable healthcare to all is no small task to fulfill. However, so far the Ministry of Public Health has achieved commendable results despite the many obstacles it has faced. According to the WHO, in 2016, Guyana achieved 68 percent coverage of essential health care services, 90 percent successful treatment of children with diphtheria and tetanus, and 55 percent treatment of adults with tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases and sexual transmitted diseases. These results have placed Guyana in a higher category than a number of countries. In order to provide quality universal health services to its citizens, Guyana must attract and retain high quality and qualified medical personnel.
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.
Christmas, noise pollution and energy waste DEAR EDITOR, As the old Christmas Masquerade Band crier proclaims; “Christmas comes but once a year, and every man must have his share….” I’m sure the composer meant both man and woman! At Christmas, the increasingly commercial Christmas we’ve known for the past 70 years, every person’s share if all is going well, would include more noise than usual – including firecrackers, squibs and loud music – and also lots of twinkling coloured lights at night. That’s all well and good if one is not such a Scrooge as to regard all of that as “Bah humbug” – but like everything else it comes at a cost. In most cases that cost is repaid by a bit of rest to ease the combined effects of the noise and excessive imbibing, and some belttightening come January
when that higher light bill is to be expected along with the first of the deferred payments on items bought for Christmas. It is a bit different when the noise pollution will neither end nor ease up after Christmas. It is even worse when the continuing noise pollution is actually very wasteful in money terms and on top of that, when the money wasted is taxpayers’ money being wantonly thrown away by persons who ought to know much better. In stating this I am referring to a government office building next door to my home, where two air conditioning units are left on 24-7; yes, the a/c is left on 24 hours a day seven days a week! We all know that air conditioning can make life indoors in the tropics more comfortable than if there were no a/c at all – but how many of us are aware of the
real cost of air conditioning? My home has a/c on the upper level where the bedrooms and the living room are. When I first moved in I made extensive use of the a/c largely because the lady wife loved the comfort it offered. My monthly GPL bill, without using the a/c 24/7, then ranged between $17,000 and $25,000. It has been a lot cooler these past few months and I’ve been more cost conscious – resulting in my GPL bills ranging between no more than $7,000 and $10,000 each month. Considering that the air conditioning next door is never switched off, it is my conservative guess that the said government office’s electricity bill must surely be some $50,000 more per month than it ought to be. That in my opinion represents an irresponsible waste of public funds.
The noise pollution aspect, however, is what immediately bothers me most as a citizen resident. The two a/c units make a loud and incessant noise that is magnified at night – and made much worse by the knowledge that nobody is in the building all night long. At my own office we make it our duty to see that the a/c units are all switched off at the end of the work day. Is it that those who have offices in the said government building are so important that they must walk into a cooled room each morning? If that’s the case, then surely the security guard or cleaner can switch on the a/c at 0700hrs each day! I hope something is done about this noise pollution before the Christmas weekend shutdown. All I want for Christmas is some quiet late at night…. Ronald Bostwick
A response to GCID-Truth does not go away Dear Editor, I am loathe to revisit subjects as I make every effort to be informative and unambiguous in delivery of my concerns, opinions and solutions. I wrote about the GRA Commissioner General attempting to set policy instead of executing those of t h e A P N U + A F C administration.He replied, “The Commissioner General views on tax credits versus exemptions are well known. These views are in keeping with international norms and those of the Tax Reform Committee of which he was a member.” How would one go about replying to such fatuity? However, my recent call for a ‘Truth and Reconciliation type commission’ as utilized in South Africa has prodded a response from a purported group the Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy, in the Guyana Chronicle 13th December, which cannot be allowed to pass without response.The CGID urges the Government of Guyana “to take action to investigate hundreds of extrajudicial killings and political assassinations, which took place in Guyana between 2001 and 2015.” And then launches into a regurgitation of the Dossier of allegations against the then Government of Guyana. This reiteration of allegations is deliberately
facilitated by the Chronicle as part of its smear campaign of the People’s Progressive Party in a shameless abuse of state resources and also detracts from the genuine calls for impartial inquiries. I engaged in an extensive search for information about this (CGID) organization. Far from being an ‘institute’ of any kind, CGID represents the views of one individual over a period of two decades. Festus Brotherson Jr. swore to an affidavit in which he proclaimed the CGID a PNC front, whatever its genesis. CGID produces nothing but vacuous missives via its president, Rickford Burke. There are no records of any other type of activity usually associated with an organization that bills itself as
a ‘think-tank’. Recently, Stabroek News published a letter of Burke’s with the Editor’s note,”This letter has been published primarily because of its attack on this newspaper. It has been edited.” This is not an attack on the messenger to distract from the message; it is facing the reality that at some point, credibility of a source must be examined. The recent ‘brouhaha’ created by fake n e w s o u t l e t Guyanaguardian.com demands that we make these examinations. CGID does not withstand scrutiny as a credible organization.I have previously examined the dossier and found it packed with falsehoods including names of massacre victims listed alongside their killers to
give this document gravitas. Burke and his ilk do not seek justice, they seek opportunities to repeat and perpetuate this big lie; a lie that is now exposed for what it is, an odious propaganda aimed at electoral manipulation.Burke states, “If needs be, GCID is prepared to take this fight all the way to the 2020 general election”. I can assure Burke that given the reluctance of the Granger administration to facilitate a ‘Truth Commission’, I too will be fighting for justice and truth, well beyond 2020. As Elvis Presley said, “Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t goin’ away.” Respectfully Robin Singh
Put a cap on the cost of Govt vehicles Dear Editor, The late Dr. Cheddi Jagan once said that one cannot live a Cadiallic lifestyle in a donkey-cart economy. Guyana may have advanced a bit economically but certainly not to a point where Government ministers and other top officials feel justified in using taxpayer’s money to buy themselves luxury vehicles, some in excess of $15 million. I think in the interest of financial prudence President Granger should order that a cap be placed on all Government vehicles to a maximum of $10 million. This, in my view, is not an unreasonable sum taking into consideration that these vehicles are exempted from customs and excise payments. Public service is not about extravagance
and conspicuous lifestyles. Rather, it is about providing services to the Guyanese people in the most cost-effective and prudent manner. The true cost of these vehicles is not simply the money spent on them but what economists refer to as the ‘opportunity cost’ or the sacrificed alternative. In other words, it is about how many more drugs, for example, could have been procured were it not for these luxurious vehicles. As we continue to observe the remaining days of the birth centenary of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, we should take some time to reflect on the work and teachings of someone who dedicated his entire life for the cause of a better Guyana and whose lifestyle exemplified honesty, integrity and modesty. Hydar Ally
Saturday December 15, 2018
BEATEN TO THE PUNCH DEAR EDITOR, It is an uncontested given of the right of a political opposition party in a democratic country to participate in the proceedings of parliament. This is what true democracy is all about, since those party members are expected to represent their constituents. But this is apart from the important aspect of offering constructive criticisms, which can be considered by the incumbent executive of the day, for inclusion the national development policies. This is expected primarily from an opposition during a budget debate, since it involves seminal issues that are integral for debates and discussions on the socio-economic status of the country, inclusive of its key sectors, whether they are performing well, and what suggestions are viable for either correcting errors, or consolidating for better results. It is therefore the right of every opposition to scrutinize, keenly, budgetary allocations for every sector of the particular state. Not only was this recent budget debate woeful, in terms of opposition content as debate; but absolutely
petulant, childish, and amateurish, for the mode of behaviour exhibited by a collective who occupies a constitutional office, and are expected to play a constructive role.In typical style, that has become the known badge of PPP/C parliamentary performance, spirited, reasoned, and intelligent responses to BUDGET 2019, was replaced by the disgust of political rhetoric that offered no rational arguments to Budget. There were attempts at bullyism that betrayed an Opposition that could not have proven their empty and manufactured mathematics in support of their ridiculous contentions; and insults that are the usual resort to obfuscate a deficiency in humans, when they do not have a clue as to whatever issue is in focus. There were attempts at railroading when they realized that they are not taken seriously. This was more than political immaturity; it was a grand display of political opposition asininity that continues to be part of its politics, even in the National Assembly, as the PPP/C MPs increase their frenzy against the Coalition
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Government. Good, rational, intelligent debates are good for the personal, political profile development of individual MPs, as it makes for better insight in terms of objective understanding of their country and its socio-economic challenges and needs. Moreover, it allows for the development of political bi-partisanship on national issues.No one expects a political parliamentary opposition to facilitate a walk in the park, for the government of the day on any issue that may come to a national parliament; and this is because of the adversarial nature of politics. However, one expects a maturity that is consonant with being elected as national leaders; one that speaks to offering intelligent suggestions that are objective, and can be incorporated towards national development. This was clearly absent from the PPP/C collective. I believe the success of our nation can be liberally applied to all our people instead of conserved for a selected few. That is what the 2019 budget sought to do. Regards Dillon Goring
Resurrect the masquerade art form DEAR EDITOR Peeping Tom in one of his columns referred to the Masquerade bands in the city as being a nuisance. While I do not like the word nuisance, I will be the first to agree that the cultural art of the Masquerade Music is rapidly dying, and needs to be supported by the State, and also the general public. The same thing must be said about the other ethnic and cultural activities, namely the Indian Arrival Day, the Amerindian Heritage activities and the Emancipation Day Celebrations. The Masquerade Band dates back to centuries ago by the slaves. The playing of the Congo Drum though originated from the African Continent and brought to the West Indies by the slaves, this is another art that is rapidly dying. I was happy to learn from some friends from the West Coast of Berbice that aggressive effort is being made by most persons to keep this culture alive. It is understandable that if the quality of anything becomes poor, it is difficult to market support or consume it
as in the case of food, liquor, etc. a classic example is West Indies Cricket. Under the Forbes Burnham-led Government, the Masquerade Band Competition was an annual feature at Christmas Time, Independence and I think, Mashramani Celebrations. As a lad, my parents
would send me to meet the band only when they hear it coming and I, in company of other boys, would leave our home running and after for about two miles, we would reach the band which on most occasions would have people about seventy five yards in front of the band and (Continued on page 6)
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PREACHING GLOOM AND DOOM IS NOT HELPING DEAR EDITOR, The weekly doom and gloom messages preached by the Opposition Leader at his weekly press conferences, do not do good for the confidence of citizens in our country and the future. In fact, what the Opposition is doing can only be described as political sabotage through the use of falsities and fear, to regain political power. Any person listening to the daily propaganda being peddled by the leader of the Opposition and his sympathizers on the state of Guyana’s economy might confuse Guyana with our neighbour to the west, Venezuela. During the Budget 2019 debates, the opposition members had a central message on the state of our country; massive increase in taxes, out of control government spending and borrowing, and economic decline. This message was delivered with a bold face by the opposition MPs even though the evidence available paints a far different picture of Guyana’s economic performance. Looking at the highlights from Min. Jordan’s Budget speech, “The performance of our economy in 2018 shows a positive 3.4% GDP growth rate and a 4.6% expected in 2019.” Additionally, reputable international financial institutions like the IMF have spoken positively on Guyana’s economic performance. The international monetary Fund
IMF in its recent report has forecast a 3.5% economic growth for Guyana in 2018 and a 26.7% growth in 2023, which is just five years from now. Editor, the pessimistic analysis of real numbers not only by the opposition members of parliament, but in the Ram and McRae report itself shows recklessness with the truth. If I may quote a passage of this report, which states: “While not directly relevant to this fiscal year, it is worth noting that the statistical Bureau does not expect a single sector to record negative performance in 2019...” You may think the statement would end there, but it went on; “A phenomenon that seldom arises, even in an economic bubble.” It can only be assumed that the message of gloom and doom has won and now forms part of the national discourse at the level of accounting ethics. The statistics does not support the contention of Guyana being in an economic bubble; the exchange rates at Banks remain stable, the inflation rate is constant between 2.0% and 2.5% -prices in the market remain stable and the best indicator, gas prices remains stable. Another example of recklessness and falsity could be found in a recent Article by former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, which states, “the 2019 budget pushes treasury overdraft to $210 billion.” However, the truth is the treasury overdraft as of December 7, 2018 stands at $60 billion down from
$62bln in November. Mr. Goolsarran, $210 billion is a stretch of the imagination of any economist worth his salt. Even if Government doubles the salary of every public servant, the debt would not be near $200 billion. A failure by the Finance Minister (whoever he/she maybe) to provide accurate information to the Assembly is a violation of the standing orders and could see that minister sent before the privileges committee. As such, one must assume the Minister presenting the Budget is aware of the consequences of lying about the numbers. Sadly, both the Opposition and focus on Guyana National Budget 2019 seem to have ignored this fact. The Opposition has chosen, instead, to insinuate that Guyana’s economy is doomed and the numbers forwarded by Minister Jordan are fictitious.The present atmosphere of negativity that has polluted the national sphere has made it virtually impossible for the Government to govern. As such, Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s prudent management of our economy should be applauded. He has managed to keep an otherwise morally bankrupt and shady economy afloat despite the many challenges economically and politically. May God bless our beautiful country. Thank you QUINCY SEBASTIAN Student UG.
Looking at the no-confidence motion DEAR EDITOR The Editorial “Oil and national cohesiveness” (SN, 14th December 2018) serves to remind us that National Cohesion is not being achieved because of politicians’ ambiguity towards national cohesion. The problem rests
squarely with the politicians. It is they who must set a good example. This is why I am asking the PPP/C Opposition to withdraw the no-confidence motion against the APNU+AFC Government of President David Granger. Should the PPP/C Opposition win this motion all that it will serve to do is to bring down the APNU+AFC Government resulting in early election (which by the way is only one year and a bit away). This will then result in
people hardening their “political stance” with Guyana going politically and socially unstable. Should the PPP/C Opposition lose the no-confidence motion, then it would be an embarrassing defeat for the Opposition. The PPP/C Opposition winning the no-confidence motion will not necessarily translate into winning the next General Election due by 2020. Given the results of the recently concluded LGE, there is really no need for early General Elections. The no-confidence motion sounds more like tit-for-tat politics to me. Yours faithfully, Sean Ori
Time for a broad–based national is wide spread nagovernment tionalThere concern about the conDEAR EDITOR, When will our political leaders and political parties honestly face and address the reality of more than six decades of race and political divisions that have stifled the social and economic development of our people and country? Our people and country has been under the dominance of the PPP and PNC over these years with the winner take all. When will our land be liberated from this scourge of political and racial divisions and conflicts for the national good? The political parties and political leaders must let the past go and look to the future in the national interest, and seek political reconciliation through their own internal and intra party truth/confession/ reflection in joint sessions. The political leaders and political parties must now put the nation’s interest above self and party interest.
tinuation of this situation, which beckons and calls on the leadership of the PNC and the PPP and their political parties to meet and confer in good faith to agree on the creation of a constitutionally broad-based government based on the results of a free and fair general elections in 2020; and agree on a programme for national development for the social, economic, and human development. Timely constitutional changes/amendments are required. Immediate discussions by the political parties on constitutional reform/amendments to establish a broadbased government should consider: · A Government be constituted by at least two thirds of elected members of the National Assembly to include every political party, which obtained 15% of the seats in the National Assembly; · Members of the National Assembly to elect the Presi-
dent and Vice-President by two–thirds majority at the first session of the National Assembly following general elections; · The provision for one Vice President only, and abolish the misnomer of the title of “Prime Minister”; · The number of Ministries should be no more than 21, set constitutionally; · National budget must secure a two-thirds vote of the National Assembly; · One election for the National Assembly and regional authorities; · A fixed election day every five years; · Establish a professional, neutral, and politically impartial Public Service by Law; · Appoint a genuinely independent, neutral, and politically impartial Public Service Commission; · The Public Service Commission to also appoint all Permanent Secretaries and all Regional Executive Officers based on merit. With thanks. Joshua Singh
NOISE NUISANCE AT CHARITY DEAR EDITOR, We, the residents of Charity, have noticed that our Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, and our newly appointed Commissioner of Police Mr. Leslie James have been making every effort to stop the lawlessness with the noise polluters in the country. Mr. Editor, where in some parts of the country, especially in the capital city of Georgetown and some areas in the Essequibo Coast people have been complying with the law, it seems as though our district in Charity and the surrounding areas are exempted from the enforcement of the noise nuisance regulations. There are two hotels and bars in Charity along the public road and these places are in very close proximity to the Charity Police Station. While we are seeing some compliance, there are still room for improvement with the hotel and bar nearer to the police station. It seems as though the other hotel and bar obliquely to the Charity Catholic Church and not too far off from the Charity Cottage Hospital, seem to have no respect for law and order and concerns for the residents of Charity who might be suffering from some form of illness
and even the children who will be doing their school work. It is most absurd that the management of this bar will permit their DJ to play the music so loud that the vibrations of the music could be felt even if you are living a quarter of a mile away and this will include the police station. Also, private cars could be seen playing their music loudly in front of the police station and other parts of the public road and patrols could be seen passing these
vehicles and will not take any action to stop it. We are appealing to the Hon. Minister Public Security and the Commissioner of Police to look into this complaint and we request from the Commander of this district of ‘G’ DIVISION to have some discussion on this matter with the Officer-in-Charge of the Charity Police Station so that remedial action could be taken to address this scourge in society. Names withheld
Resurrect the... From page 5 another, one hundred yards behind the band. More women and children would leave their home at Riverstown, Airy Hall, some six and seven miles away following this band, knowing full well that they would be walking back home, because in those days transportation was not readily available as it is now. The band members in those days were Uncle Eddie, the drum; Uncle Willie, the Kittle; Buddy Pitt, the Steel; Uncle Vibert Ralph (Tengar), the Flute; the cow men Uncle Joe (Bad Cow Joe), Uncle Frankie Grosvenor (Bad Cow Frankie), Rickford Woolford (Bad Cow Ricky) and many more. Of the ‘flouncers’ and short step dancers, Auntie Ivy, stands out, although there were many more who were not members of the band including yours truly. Of the persons mentioned, only Buddy Pitt is alive today. The Masquerade Band in those days was real real fun, which was enjoyed by all ethnic groups, and the rich and the poor. This cultural art is rapidly dying and needs help to say alive. Yours sincerely, Archie Cordis.
Saturday December 15, 2018
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Crime Chief confident of locating Annandale ‘killer driver’ Traffic Chief Linden Isles is confident that investigators will eventually apprehend the driver who left 15-year-old Karamchand Khemraj to die at Annandale, East Coast Demerara, after hitting down the teen and his friend, 16year-old friend Reaz Shaw. He said that while police have located the damaged bus, investigators are still to verify who was driving when the teens were struck down. He noted that the bus owner, identified as a Chinese store owner, C. Wen, has other relatives. Mr. Wen’s whereabouts were still unknown up to yesterday. ‘C’ Division Commander Calvin Brutus disclosed that police have not confirmed re-
ports that Mr. Wen may be in Suriname. He said that police have circulated messages at various ports of entry in an attempt to locate the businessman. According to Commander Brutus, surveillance footage had shown that “there is no doubt” that the bus, bearing registration number GWW 2140, was involved in the hit-and-run fatality. He gave this response when queried as to reports that the vehicle has reportedly not been checked for possible traces of blood and other forensic evidence. Yesterday, some sources expressed concern that forensic experts from CID Head-
quarters, Eve Leary, were not called in to check the damaged bus for possible traces of blood, fibre and hair. A source explained that while all divisions have their own Crime Scene ranks, they are not equipped with chemicals such as luminol, which is used to detect trace amounts of blood at crime scenes. Crime Scene ranks from ‘C’ Division had examined the vehicle, but were reportedly unable to conduct a full examination. A source explained that “time is of the essence,” since evidence such as blood could be washed away. According to a source, the Crime Scene experts should have been summoned
Televised public events, newscasts must have closed captions, sign language interpreters next year
Representatives of broadcasters at the engagement with GNBA yesterday. Regulators are moving to making public events more friendly for persons with disabilities, starting next year. In fact, TV newscasts will have to include a sign language interpreter and closed captions until it becomes the norm. This is all part of the updated broadcasting law which mandates Guyana to have its television operators toe the line. With over 14,000 persons being visually impaired in the country, there is the obvious consideration that this large grouping has a signifcant role to play in developing the country. This assertion was made by Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority
(GNBA), Leslie Sobers yesterday. He was meeting with representatives of the television and radio broadcasters at Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown, to brief engage them of developments and plans for next year. Sobers said a new board was appointed last year February with a mandate to specifically craft a strategy for the sector. The authority focused on improving licensing and the fee structures, as well as beef up its Monitoring Unit, part of the all-important Monitoring and Compliance Committee. The unit is responsible for listening to radio and TV programmes and flagging violations.The GNBA has been warning (Continued on page 23)
GNBA’s chairman Leslie Sobers (far right) during his presentation yesterday. Sitting are senior GNBA officials.
- cops have “no doubt” damaged bus linked to accident, says Divisional Commander to examine the vehicle at the scene where it was located. “There should be minimal movement of the vehicle until it is examined,” the source said. “You would look for indentations and hair and fibres. Time is of the essence, since rain could wash away hair and fibres. You would also use luminol to check for blood.” The vehicle, with shattered windscreen, and damage to the left side, was located on Thursday at a makeshift bakery, which is owned by a female Chinese national. Relatives of the two victims had said that two broken sections of a number plate were left near the scene. One part showed ‘GW’ and another part showed the numbers ‘40’. On Thursday, Kaieteur News received information that there were two Silver Gray Toyota Hiace buses which bore number plates that were a close match to the broken plate. One vehicle, bearing registration number GWW 2140, was registered to C. Wen of Lot 10 Vigilance ECD.
C. Wen, a Chinese national, is reportedly the proprietor of a supermarket which is located a short distance from the Vigilance Police Station. On visiting the location, a resident told Kaieteur News that he had not seen “the silver-grey bus” which is used by the Chinese supermarket owner since Sunday night. The source directed the reporter to Mon Repos where a bakery was located. At that location, a tarpaulin-covered object was observed at the back. A female Chinese national eventually came outside. On being questioned about the whereabouts of the man who drove the “silver bus,” the woman claimed that she had no idea what the reporter was referring to. She left shortly after with another woman and a man who had arrived with a car. Kaieteur News then contacted ranks at the Vigilance Police Station who eventually gained access to the bakery and upon lifting the tarpaulin, found the silver-grey Toyota Hiace minibus.
The number plates were missing, the windscreen was shattered and the front of the vehicle was damaged. The vehicle was processed by police crime scene photographers and lodged at the Vigilance station. The woman who had earlier abandoned the premises later turned up at the Vigilance Station with a lawyer. She told investigators that a friend had left the vehicle at her premises while she was out. An employee allegedly told her that the bus owner said that he would return for the vehicle in a few days.The woman also stated that she believed that the driver had gone to Suriname. Kaieteur News understands that she also alleged that she later learned that the vehicle was involved in an accident. She was not detained. Karamchand Khemraj was struck down and killed at around 19:00 hours on Sunday while towing his friend, Reaz Shaw, on the Annandale Public Road. The driver fled the scene. Shaw remains in critical condition.
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Saturday December 15, 2018
GRA Headquarters for Turkeyen PPP will seek legal recourse to prevent PM from sitting in National Assembly
GRA’s current Camp Street Headquarters
O
The New Guyana Revenue Authority Headquarters will be built at Turkeyen. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, told the National Assembly this, as he answered questions for the motion of the approval for expenditures of the Ministry of Finance. Jordan said that since the staff to be housed exceeds 1000 persons, the Ministry is looking to get a very large, functional building. He told the House that land has been identified in the Turkeyen
area, and that concept designs are currently being developed. Once Cabinet approves the designs, Jordan said that the government will use the “PPP framework” to solicit proposals for the construction of the building. If cabinet approves, the agency will have acquired a 10-acre campus. In terms of cost, getting a large functional building will be challenging, Minister Jordan told the assembly. Over the six years of oc-
cupation of the Camp Street building, owned by the National Insurance Scheme, GRA has been spending extensively to improve and maintain the structure. As of January 2018, the agency spent more than $1.2B with another $200M budgeted for other urgent works necessary to fix structural defects and other health and safety concerns. GRA’s lease on the building at Camp Street is slated to end in 2022. For the 2019 Budget, the agency has been granted $1.256B in capital expenditure for provision of buildings, software, vehicles, furniture and equipment, by the National Assembly.
pposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, has said that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will be seeking legal recourse to prevent Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo from sitting in the National Assembly while he acts as President of Guyana. This comes after Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland, responded to her (Teixeira’s) letter concerning Nagamootoo’s service in the Assembly during Budget 2019 debates, indicating that he will not rule on the matter, but has proposed the transmission of the matter to the Clerk of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform. The Speaker, in his response, quoted Article 119A of the Constitution, stating that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform is meant for the “purpose of continually reviewing the effectiveness of the working of the Constitution” – “with proposals for reform as necessary.” Scotland said that according to that article of the constitution, a provision has been made for the committee “to coopt experts or enlist the aid of other persons of appropriate expertise, whether or not such experts or other persons are members of the National Assembly.”
Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira Addressing Teixeira’s mention of former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who Teixeira said did not sit in the House while serving as President, the Speaker said there appears to be no record that makes clear the reason for the conduct of that Prime Minister. He opted not to make a declaration on the issue, and explained to the National Assembly that his reading on the matter does not incline him “to the conviction that unilateral action in this matter by the Speaker or by any other Third Party instrumentally will lead to a final and permanent resolution.” The Speaker of the House rebuked the prospect of transferring the matter to the purview of the Judiciary, saying, “the concept of Winners and Losers is not one to be embraced here for a permanent solution to this very important issue.” Explaining the PPP’s position after Dr. Scotland’s statement, Teixeira said that
the Speaker was asked to uphold the constitution: “The constitution is very clear that, when the president is overseas, he will appoint the minister in writing to carry out the functions of the office of the President.” She said that the law also states that, when this appointment occurs, a seat in parliament will be regarded as vacant. “The language is clear and unambiguous. The speaker was asked to uphold the constitution. He wasn’t asked for a ruling.” She said that, since the Speaker is not in agreement that the matter should go to the court, he believes this is a resolution matter. “But it’s not a resolution matter. It’s a matter of [upholding] constitution. His decision to refer the matter to the parliamentary standing committee is a no-go.” She said that the purpose of that committee is not to interpret the constitution, but (Continued on page 12)
Saturday December 15, 2018
Guyana is not yet ready for first oil. Oil will be produced by Exxon by the end of 2020, but in terms of Guyana’s preparation to ensure that the country is not swindled of its deserving wealth, the country is far from ready. The government does not appreciate the gravity of the task required to prepare for first oil. These tasks require far more sums to be allocated to help enact the regulatory framework, build local capacity to manage the industry, and develop the institutions which will be needed. Guyana’s oil reserves are estimated conservatively at US$4B. Yet all the government
has allocated to the Energy Department for 2019 is a mere US$2M. Can anyone take this APNU+AFC administration seriously when you look at these numbers? It is clear that the government is clueless about what it will take in order to develop a fully functional Energy Department in time for first oil in 2020. Guyana is now beginning to establish the institutions which will be needed to oversee the industry - it started out on a controversial note by placing an environmentalist in charge of the Energy Department and an energy specialist in charge of the Environmental Protection Agency.
As if these choices were not inexplicable enough, the government is now only allocating US$2M for both capital and recurrent expenditure for the energy department. This is the department which will have to hire a firm to do the audits of the preproduction costs of Exxon Mobil. This is the department which will have to recruit experts to advise on negotiations with Exxon, including hiring legal experts. If the cost of legal services to prosecute Guyana’s case before the International Court of Justice is anything to go by, then that US$2M is grossly inadequate.
Dem boys seh ...
Man cover up ee bus like how cops does cover up case Guyana got a solution fuh de prison situation but if Ram Jattan didn’t talk nobody woulda know. Two years straight dem prisoners set fire inside Camp Street and eventually bun it down. Ram Jattan get headache and Rohee cuss him. He talk to dem technical institute people and he solve de problem. He building portable steel cells. Just like how dem have mobile toilet, Ram Jattan have mobile prisons. Dem boys hear he plan to use dem 40foot steel container. He gon cut windows and put on four wheel pon each one. Any container dat got people who mek noise—dat is disturbing de peace— will be towed and placed in de middle of de cemetery. Any one of de mobile prison dat got disturbance and rioting will be put on a floating pontoon to be shipped. Dem boys already picturing Jagdeo, Ashni, Brassy, Irfaat, Gerry and de Chat-3 peeping through de mobile prison cell as Ram Jattan driving dem round and round Freedom House suh people can see who tek
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things wha nah belong to dem. Fuh sure, some policemen gon be using dem same mobile prison as guests. A man who got a supermarket a few doors from de Vigilance Police Station knock down two li’l boys. De man windscreen bruk up and de bus damage but de man manage to park de bus and cover it up. Dem boys hear de police know de same night from de pieces of de broken number plate, dat is de same man who got de supermarket nearby. Dem boys want to believe dat officers collect sutten because de man run away and dem ain’t do nutten.Days after, a reporter track down de bus because he do de police wuk. He force de police to hand over de pieces of de number plate and he check out de registration. De bus was cover up just like how de police cover up many cases, including dis one. Dem boys also believe dem police was enjoying freeness from de supermarket suh dem refuse to hold de man. Talk half and keep yuh eye pon dem East Coast police.
The government is also trying to disclaim contentions by the Leader of the Opposition that the massive benefits from oil will not flow until 2025. The government should not be trying to create false expectations, because Exxon itself has indicated that in the early years Guyana is likely to earn US$300M per annum, and as production increases this sum is likely to grow. Right now Guyana has another worry. It has to be concerned about the decline in oil prices and whether Exxon Mobil and its partners will be willing to start production in 2020 as a result. Up to yesterday, the price was hovering slightly below US$52 per barrel. At that price, Guyana will barely rake in US$300M, after costs. So the Leader of the Opposition is
right in cautioning the government not to create false expectations. There are attempts being made to keep prices from falling too low The United States is running low inventories in the hope of boosting prices, but those plans may be offset by the recovery efforts in Venezuela. A joint venture between that country and China has seen an increase in production in one venture which accounts for 10% of Venezuelan oil production. Guyana has already moved to table a Natural Resource Fund Bill in the National Assembly. This is elsewhere referred to as a Sovereign Wealth Fund. But it still needs technical assistance to recruit someone to forecast the movement of oil prices, because such
information would be able to determine how much monies are likely to enter into the Sovereign Wealth Fund. All of this makes the relatively small appropriation for the Energy Department even more scandalous. The government, one year before first oil and with so much uncertainty in oil markets, should have pumped more resources into the Energy Department. Guyana is not going to be ready for first oil. And what this means is that the country will be unable to exercise the level of oversight that is necessary over the oil companies.
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Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
No Christmas shopping permitted in Georgetown on December 21 My honest opinion is that there are persons in the PPP hierarchy whose fox-like thinking is way above many of the effete leaders in the APNU+AFC fortress. There is a strong sense of hunting in the PPP leadership that the mediocre performers in the corridors of power cannot match. This is sad, because Guyana does not deserve the continuation of the PPP’s presence after what the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabals did to Guyana after 2001.
But life is harsh. We have to live in a world where the strong are foolish but they dominate. The US is the major player in world politics but powerful Republican lawmakers in both houses of the US system are far more foolish and dangerous than their counterparts in some banana republics. The brutal reality in Guyana is that since the PPP lost power in 2015, they have strategized in brilliant ways to make many of the government’s leaders look in-
ept. The PPP should postpone the no-confidence debate from December 21 to a date in January 2019. This is four days before Christmas. On December 21, Georgetown will be a human jungle of shoppers. This is normal at this time of the year. With Parliament meeting on December 21, there would be unimaginable chaos in the heart of the city. Our “esteemed” parliamentarians and our “all-knowing” ruling politicians have extended the cordoning off of the parliament when it is in session, from three streets during the reign of the PPP to seven streets. The result is what most of us who use Georgetown know – traffic insanity that is very painful. Please remember the asinine traffic edict of our circus organizers does not affect Georgetowners only, but citizens from the other nine Re-
gions that have to come to Georgetown for one reason or the other. Yet Volda Lawrence does not understand why the PPP in opposition took seats from the PNC during the recent LGE. When you come into power and you behave more lawlessly, more idiotically, more insensitively, more dastardly, more ignorantly, more contemptuously, more arrogantly than the previous rulers that you beat, people will dislike and hate you and want to vote you out. Volda Lawrence has to call another Region 4 party conference and invite me to talk to PNC delegates about the lessons that President Macron of France learnt this week. These same lawmakers and powerful politicians who want us to acknowledge that parliament is sacred so there must be no vehicle passing on the roads when they are debating, are the very ones that have destroyed the image and credibility of the National Assembly. This week when the House was in session, a parliamentarian had a box of food
quite happily eating in front of the entire House. The Speaker observed her and she put the box of food on the floor.If I name her, I know I will get a libel suit. She will lose it of course, because her behaviour was reported in the media and the words of the Speaker chastising her for her unbecoming conduct were carried in media. She will lose because of the facts. But that will not stop her from filing a writ. It means that you have to pay a lawyer and spend time in the courts. This is Guyana - there is no other country in the entire world where the police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a public servant who is alleged to have defrauded a state corporation of dozens of millions and is in hiding in a foreign country, but still sues for libel when the Kaieteur News reported on the matter. An alleged thief is hiding from the law, but says his name was damaged, so he files a libel writ to protect his image, credibility and character. Here is the irony. When he sued this newspaper, a lawyer
Frederick Kissoon sent the writ. The newspaper had to offer a defence. If I name him, the man will sue and I have to respond. Suppose I say that I am ignoring the writ because he cannot come to Guyana to fight his case. The court will say that I was delinquent and impose judgement on me. Obviously, he cannot collect, but I still have to lodge the money. So I cannot name this lady who was “feeding her face” while parliament was in session this week. That is life in Guyana. If the PPP is smart, it will avoid the anger of the Guyanese people and postpone the debate; unless the PPP knows it can win by having two APNU+AFC parliamentarians vote for the noconfidence motion, thereby toppling the grand coalition.
Friday December 14, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Saturday December 15, 2018
Police stations being upgraded to facilitate plans for regional force – Ramjattan The construction of new divisional headquarters and repairs to several police stations are said to part of a wider effort to decentralize the Guyana Police Force (GPF) through the establishment of regional forces. Defending budgetary allocations for the GPF in the National Assembly yesterday, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan alluded to plans to improve buildings, including the construction of four new divisional headquarters in Regions One, Four, Five and Eight. “It is part of the realignment of the divisions into regional divisions, so we are going to have Region one Police Force, Region Two, Region Eight up to 10 rather
than A B C D up to F, and the F takes care of four regional divisions,” Ramjattan said in response to questions posed by Opposition Member, Clement Rohee. Under the budgetary allocation approved for the Force, the new divisional headquarters are to be constructed at Golden Grove, Fort Wellington, Mabaruma and Mahdia. “We want a Commander, necessarily a senior Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner, to be the persons who are going to be living there taking charge of all matters there…and not being at F Division, and then nothing happening at Lethem, Mabaruma or Bartica,” Ramjattan explained.
In 2019, there are also plans to rehabilitate the Special Branch building along with the Brickdam, Leonora, Anna Regina and Cove and John Police Stations. Currently, there are seven divisional headquarters, which are headed by commanders. The composition of the divisional headquarters also includes a second in command, divisional detective officer and an officer in charge of traffic. These are ‘A’ Division headed by Assistant Superintendent Marlon Chapman; ‘B’ Division headed by Senior Superintendent Paul Langevine; ‘C’ Division headed by Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus; ‘D’ headed by Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper;
Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan ‘E’ Division headed by Superintendent Linden Lord; ‘F’ Division headed by Senior Superintendent Kevin Adonis and ‘G’ Division headed by Superintendent K. Pareshram. Two months ago, Commissioner of Police Leslie James promised that the po-
lice force will see major improvement, which included an aviation unit, enhanced maritime department, training and the rehabilitation of several police stations countrywide. Government is leaning on the final report on the Secu-
rity Sector Reform Project (SSRP) which was prepared by British security expert, Lt. Col (Ret’d) Russell Combe. Combe, whose office was housed at the Ministry of the Presidency during his oneyear tenure in Guyana, has received a further contract extension through to 2019 to help implement the recommendations contained in the report. According to Combe, the report is a dynamic document that builds upon previous work and also a reference document for the various security sector players and actors. He noted that the report places emphasis on the Police Force. It includes recommendations for improvement of the criminal justice system, the Guyana Coast Guard and the Guyana Prison Service. The UK, Combe outlined, doesn’t want to see the report sitting on a shelf gathering dust.
PPP will seek legal recourse to prevent... From page 8 to make recommendations to the house on reforms to the constitution. “They are not a body to interpret; it’s the court that interprets the Constitution. I expected that the Speaker of the National Assembly of Guyana would uphold our Constitution.” She explained that the Prime Minister is in a position where Bills brought before him, give him the power to vote on a Bill in parliament, then have the Bill come to him shortly after for signing, and that this is in contravention of the constitutional requirement for
the separation of the powers of the executive and the legislative. She said that the Speaker is “behaving like Pontius Pilate”; that the Speaker is “washing his hands and passing Jesus on.” “I thought that he would have at least had the courage and the fortitude to stand up and uphold the Constitution of Guyana.” In a statement, Member of the Opposition, Anil Nandlall said that, “Rather than address the issue, the Speaker vacillated for three long pages.” Nandlall condemned what
he believes to be a precedent set by the Speaker for the disregard of th e l a w s o f Guyana. His statement read that “The end result is the Head of the premiere law-making institution of this country refuses to uphold and, in fact, contributes to violation of the most superior of our laws, the Constitution.” He further asked, “How can the public have respect for our Parliament, the Speaker and the laws of this land, when the makers of the law are treating the supreme law with such contemptuous disregard?”
Saturday December 15, 2018
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Food and Drug Dept. advised to initiate voluntary recall of Del Monte Fiesta Corn Local distributor of the recalled Del Monte Fiesta Corn, Toucan Industries, has notified the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department [GA-FDD] that it has imported 204 cases of the product. GA-FDD said that of this amount 150 cases have been distributed by the distributor and 54 have been placed on hold in its warehouse. In addition, 408 cases are currently in transit to Guyana, the distributor has informed. According to the Food and Drug Department, the distributor has been instructed to notify the Department of the arrival of the 408 cases. More than 60,000 cases of Del Monte’s Fiesta Corn, seasoned with red and green peppers have being recalled because the ingredients weren’t adequately processed, stated a release issued by the United States F o o d a n d D r u g Administration [FDA]. This product was distributed in 25 States in the United States and 12 international locations, including Guyana. The other international locations, the manufacturer of the product said in a release are: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, El Salvador, Haiti, Uruguay, Aruba, Panama, Saint Lucia and Suriname. US States included in the recall are: Alaska, Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Yo r k , O k l a h o m a , Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Food and Drug Director, Mr. Marlan Cole,
said that approval has been granted for the distributor to initiate a voluntary recall of the affected products. “All affected products will be destroyed under the supervision of this Department at the completion of the recall and detaining exercise,” said Cole, who added that “consumers are advised not to use this product with the identified UPC # or ‘Best if Used by Date’ and to return it to the place of purchase.” Cole said that moves have been made by his Department to inform the public of the recall of the Del Monte Fiesta Corn, due to under-processing which poses a life threatening risk to consumers. An official release from the manufacturer stated that it has recalled 62,242 cases of the Fiesta Corn as a precautionary measure since the product wasn’t processed correctly and thus could lead to deadly contamination. “These deviations were part of the commercial sterilization process and could result in contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to lifethreatening illness if consumed,” said the manufacturer, adding that “It is important to note that there have been no reports of illness associated with these products to date.” The potentially underprocessed products are 15.25-ounce [432g] cans with the following UPC number printed on the label: 24000 02770. Recalled items will also have one of the following “Best if Used By” dates stamped on the bottom of the can: August 14, 2021, August 15, 2021, August 16, 2021, Sept 3, 2021, Sept 4, 2021, Sept 5,
2021, Sept 6, 2021, Sept 22, 2021 and Sept 23, 2021. Consumers have been advised not to use this product with the identified UPC # or ‘Best if Used by Date” and to return it to the place of purchase. All affected products, Cole said, will be destroyed under the supervision of the Food and Drug Department at the completion of the recall and detaining exercise.
The Del Monte Fiesta Corn label.
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Saturday December 15, 2018
Govt. must consider pros and cons of continuing with Production Sharing Agreements – Ram urges By Kiana Wilburg Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram is of the firm view that the government needs to carefully examine the pros and cons of Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) before moving to design a model that would be used in the future. His comment in this regard, comes on the heels of a US$11.64M loan that was granted to Guyana by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) so that the authorities here can improve its governance systems for the oil sector. One of the terms of the loans, however, is for Guyana to design a model contract for future Production Sharing Agreements (PSA). Ram stated that the government, by accepting this term from the IDB, makes itself appear unthinking and unwilling to learn. In his recent writings, Ram said, “After months of rambling that now that Guyana has been de-risked in oil and gas, (and) a new approach to the development of the upstream oil and gas sector is necessary, we return to
the same concept that will see us lose at the very least, hundreds of millions of real dollars annually.” Ram continued, “It ought to be reasonably evident that there are about 12 key variable elements in the profit oil model of PSAs and that this so-called exercise for which part of the loan is to be expended, can be done by way of a desk exercise in a matter of days, by any reasonably competent person.” The Chartered Accountant reminded that several countries are moving away from this type of profit oil production sharing agreement into a gross production sharing agreement. He stressed, however, that Guyana seems committed to a backward model. Ram said, “And there are other models as well, such as the concession type of agreements, which would be consistent with the statutory type of ownership of petroleum resources. I had on more than one occasion accused the PPP/C Government of taking any l o a n o n o f f e r. T h i s Government is showing how similar to the PPP/C it really is.”
I N D O N E S I A ABANDONS PSAs Indonesia is said to be the nation that gave the world Production Sharing Agreements. This arrangement stipulates that the host country will receive its profits after the oil company deducts its operating expenses. The Government of Indonesia thought that this was a wise move in the beginning. But with each passing year, it soon noticed that its cut of the spoils got smaller, the taxes from the oil sector began to shrink and the operators’ claims of deductable expenses was increasing by the millions. The aforementioned convinced the Government that petroleum companies were inflating costs. The Government tried everything they could to keep oil companies from exploiting this loophole in the Production Sharing Agreement. But every accounting or auditing effort proved futile against the oil giants. Earlier this year, the country took the decision to move away from the very agreement it piloted. Ram, who also studied the case of Indonesia, recently wrote that Guyana
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram may find lessons from that country in relation to Production Sharing Agreements to be a serious wake-up call. It was in January last, that the Indonesian Government actually walked away from the Production Sharing Agreement approach. It is now using the “gross-split” method. The gross split rules make contractors bear all the costs in turn for a higher share of the output. The base split for oil blocks is 57% to 43% for the
government and contractors, respectively, and 52% to 48% for natural gas fields. This is in contrast to the conventional cost recovery PSAs which caters for the sharing of profits after deduction of the exploration and production costs. The economic benefit from the gross split PSA is that it awards the share of production, bonuses, income taxes and indirect taxes to the state, while contractors receive a share of the production according to the percentage agreed on in the contract. INFLATED COSTS Indonesia’s move from Production Sharing Agreements to the new model in January last was long in the pipeline. In several media reports i n t h a t c o u n t r y, t h e Government said that under cost recovery, contractors inflated costs to increase their share of production, the result being that Government’s share is reduced. In fact, the Supreme Audit Agency of Indonesia found that several oil and gas production sharing contractors inflated their operating costs claims to US$300M. The Agency also noted that many of the costs claimed by the company were not even in
keeping with the rules and regulations of Indonesia. By moving to a grosssplit, the Government argued that contractors are forced to bear the costs of operating themselves. The Government believes that the new method will encourage the oil operators to spend more efficiently since there is no way to recover them. The Government of Indonesia feels justified in doing away with a cost recovery mechanism for oil operators. The citizens there also believe that for too long, they have been abused by oil operators. In this regard, the Government revealed that in 2016 alone, cost recovery by oil operators climbed up to $13.9B. This was more than the sector even contributed in revenues for that year. A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e Government bemoaned the administrative challenges that came with addressing cost recovery as claimed by companies. In fact, the Government said that the problem with cost recovery is there have been endless debates as to how much exactly the production costs should be. The Government said it is not easy to calculate technology costs, especially in cases where only one company has a particular technology. It was also noted in the Indonesian media that SKK Migas, a governmentowned entity that manages the oil sector, has a staff of 750 professionals. Approximately 80% of that staff is involved in the arduous task of ensuring that cost recovery claims by the company are fair and accurate. Anticorruption advocates in Indonesia are of the firm view that given its limited audit resources and benchmarks to evaluate cost claims, the Government’s response to move away from cost recovery as a basis for production sharing is, perhaps, a sensible move.
Saturday December 15, 2018
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GECOM Chairman hospitalized The previous week ended with the Opposition commissioners walking out. The commission would have been just coming out of Local Government Elections held on November 12th. Reports of the elections as well as other critical issues are set to be discussed. However, it appears that no
Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson was hospitalized this week. Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson, has been hospitalized. The 85-year-old official missed a statutory meeting of commissioners last week because of illness. This week, the Chairman was reportedly transferred from Davis Memorial
Seventh Day Adventists, D’Urban Backlands, to Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital where tests and procedures were performed. The chairman was said to have been in the Intensive Care Unit. It will be recalled that the official missed a weekly statutory on December 4th because he was ill.
Teen killed in Mabura accident Sixteen-year-old Clay Docton Skybar of Mahdia yesterday died as a result of an accident which occurred at about 11:30 hrs at 58 Miles, Mabura Road. The teen sustained injuries to his hips, neck, and elbows. He was immediately rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was pronounced dead on arrival. It was revealed that Skybar, along with two others, was sitting on the tray of a motor pick-up at the time of the
accident. The pick-up (GTT 2431) was headed in the direction of Mahdia when it collided with motor lorry GPP 4923 with trailer THH 9317 that was loaded with timber. The vehicles reportedly crashed into each other while negotiating a turn. The driver of the lorry, Shabaz Khan and the driver of the pick-up Vincent Lumelino, are in police custody assisting with investigations.
AG report provides... From page 03 This table was compiled using the audited public accounts for the years 1992 to 2017 and the anticipated deficit for 2018 and 2019…” The Chartered Accountant added, “The Minister of Finance is reported to have disputed the above figure, claiming that the Governor of the Bank of Guyana has confirmed that as of December 7, 2018, the overdraft on the Consolidated Fund was $62.157 billion. Readers are, however, directed to page 479 of the 2017 Auditor General’s report which shows the Statement of Current Assets and Liabilities of the Government as at 31
December 2017 prepared by the Accountant General and duly certified by the Minister of Finance.” In that statement, Goolsarran explained that the new Consolidated Fund Account No. 407 and the old account No. 400 showed overdrafts of $109.1 billion and $46.8 billion respectively, giving a total overdraft of $155.9 billion. He said that readers are also referred to pages 28-29 of the Auditor General’s report where these two figures are repeated. He noted that there is a graph showing the movement of the overdraft on these two accounts from 2004 to 2017.
meeting will be held until next month. According to an internal memorandum dated December 4th, 2018, the C h a i r m a n t o l d commissioners that the next statutory meeting will not be held until January 8th, 2019. He told them to indicate their availability and their
agreement to the new date. GECOM has six commissioners, excluding the chairman. Three commissioners are nominated by the Government and three from the opposition. In October 2017, Patterson was sworn in by President David Granger to
one of the most critical positions. G E C O M i s a n independent entity tasked with overseeing General Elections and LGE. The positions are jealously guarded by political parties with the chairman post being something of a hot-seat.
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Guyana made proud at 2018 CXC Regional Awards Ceremony
Guyanese students were among the top performers at the 2018 CXC regional awards ceremony In addition to Queen’s College receiving the 2018 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination [CAPE] School of the Year award, four Guyanese students were among the outstanding performers who were duly awarded when the Caribbean Examinations Council [CXC] held its Regional Top Awards Ceremony last week Thursday in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Receiving the award for the most outstanding Caribbean
Secondary Education Certificate [CSEC] candidate in the Sciences was Daniel Baldeo-Thorne of Queen’s College, Guyana. He had 13 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos. Also copping top awards were: Rebekah Persaud of St. Rose’s High School and Salma Majeed of ISA Islamic School, who claimed awards for Most Outstanding CSEC Candidate in Business Education with 9 Grade Ones, 2 Grade Twos and one Grade three and for the Most Outstanding CSEC
Candidate in Humanities with 18 Grade Ones, respectively. Claiming top awards for this year’s sitting of CAPE was Aadilah Ali of Queen’s College, who was the 2018 winner of the Dennis Irvine Award. The award is the symbol of academic excellence at the CAPE level. Ali achieved Grade Ones in 14 Units and Grade Two in 1 Unit. She is the second Queen’s College student to win the (Continued on page 23)
Saturday December 15, 2018
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Saturday December 15, 2018
Caribbean Airlines lends support to GTA’s annual Tourism Awards Gala The productive relationship shared by Caribbean Airlines and the Guyana Tourism Authority [GTA] saw the former lending its support towards t h e A n n u a l To u r i s m Awards Gala held at the Kingston, Georgetown, Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday [December 11]. In fact, Caribbean Airlines has been known to s u p p o r t t h e G TA throughout the year by providing special rates for international bloggers and journalists to explore and report on the wonders of Guyana. At the awards function two lucky attendees, Mr. Frank Singh and Ms. Nirwanie Samsoodar, won complimentary travel on Caribbean Airlines. In delivering remarks at the recent Gala, Caribbean Airlines Head of Corporate Communications, Dionne Ligoure, stated “Caribbean Airlines and Guyana enjoy a legacy of co-operation
and we are pleased to partner with the Guyana Tourism Authority.” “Guyana is a significant market for Caribbean Airlines and we transport over 350,000 people to and from Guyana each year,” Ms. Ligoure added, even as she expressed appreciation to the people of Guyana and the Guyanese Diaspora for their loyalty to Caribbean Airlines. Ligoure assured the audience that Caribbean Airlines provides consistent, safe and reliable service to Guyana and reiterated that the airline is “here to stay”. Caribbean Airlines has an average of six daily flights to and from Guyana. In fact for 2018, the airline increased its direct services between New York’s JFK International Airport and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, which was well received by travellers.
From left: Caribbean Airlines’ Ms. Dionne Ligoure; winners of the trips courtesy of Caribbean Airlines: Mr. Frank Singh and Ms. Nirwanie Samsoodar, and Caribbean Airlines’ Sales Executive, Mr. Dion Inniss.
Saturday December 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 15, 2018
Wounding convict appeals 20-year sentence Arguing that the 20-year sentence imposed on his client for felonious wounding by Justice Jo Ann Barlow is severe and not in keeping with current sentencing practice, Attorney-at-Law Glenn Hanoman yesterday afternoon raised several grounds of appeal when the Court of Appeal commenced hearing arguments in the case of the State vs. Deon Braithwaite. Braithwaite attempted to murder Safraz Gani whom he stabbed to the chest with a pitchfork and dealt several lashes with the handle of the
said tool. The injuries Gani received on October 29, 2012, have left him paralyzed in the left hand. Following a trial before Justice Barlow in 2015, the jury found Braithwaite guilty on the lesser offence (second count)—felonious wounding. Thereafter, Justice Barlow imposed the 20-year sentence. Yesterday Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory, commenced hearing arguments in the matter. Hanoman submitted that felonious wounding disclosed no offence known to the laws and to which no conviction can follow. According to Hanoman, “The Learned Trial Judge failed to invite the jury to consider finding the appellant (Braithwaite) guilty for the lesser kindred offence of unlawful wounding, contrary to Section 50 of the Criminal Law (Offence) Act Cap 8:01.” It is Hanoman’s contention that the Judge failed to adequately direct the jury on the elements of the offence to be proved by the prosecution during the trial, and that his client was wrongfully deprived of an opportunity to submit a no case-submission. The lawyer argued that the trial judge failed to adequately put his client’s defence of self-defence to the jury. Hanoman pointed out that the trial judge withdrew self-defence from the jury by suggesting that
excessive force was used, and by emphasizing that conflicting defences were raised by Braithwaite. Advancing further grounds, Hanoman submitted that the trial judge failed to enquire from the jury whether their verdict in relation to the second count was unanimous, and permitted a guilty verdict that may have been a majority verdict after the jury had deliberated for two hours. In the fourth ground of appeal, Hanoman pointed out that the trial judge wrongfully admitted medical evidence in the trial to the prejudice of Braithwaite. In support of t h i s contention, Hanoman argued that, (a) The Learned Trial Judge failed to consider the issue of admissibility of the medical certificate in light of the testimony, suggesting that the said medical certificate was prepared in excess of 48 hours after the medical examination. And (b) The L e a r n e d Tr i a l J u d g e wrongfully permitted the prosecution witness Dr. Fareez Khan to refresh himself from the writing not established to have been made contemporaneously with his examination or so soon afterwards that would render it fresh in his memory. The Court of Appeal will continue hearing in this matter on January 11, 2019, when Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Dionne McCammon is expected to present arguments.
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Kaieteur News
Agri Ministry stands behind CEO, sacks NAREI Chairman
Sacked: Dr. Patrick Chesney Government has sacked its agricultural research chairman after weeks of wrangling between him and his board. On Thursday, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, informed Dr. Patrick Chesney that his appointment as chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has been terminated. The termination would come after attempts were made by Chesney to remove NAREI’s long-serving Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Oudho Homenauth. The tensions between the Chairman and his board mem-
bers were detailed in a report sent to Minister Holder on November 23 by six board members.According to the correspondence, Chesney was appointed during the last few months of the life of the previous board which expired at the end of June 2018. The members said that the appointment of a new board appears to spell positive things for the institute. “Dr Chesney was an eminently qualified agriculturist, articulate and overflowing with new ideas.The CEO, Dr. Homenauth was solid, having served at the institute for close to 20 years. In addition, Dr. Chesney acknowledged
NAREI’s chief, Dr. Oudho Homenauth Dr. Homenauth as one who had lectured to him at University and supervised his work while employed at the institute.”The members said that nobody expected the relations would have declined so rapidly.“Dr Chesney very quickly regressed into disrespectful and abusive behaviour towards Dr. Homenauth in his spoken as well as his written words.”The situation was so bad that it became clear that the two men could no longer work together.In fact, during a board meeting on October 30, Dr. Chesney proposed a vote on whether Homenauth should continue. However,
board members wanted more time. According to the report to the Minister, on November 12, a vote was held, where Chesney gave his nod for Homenauth’s removal while seven board members voted against.The board members said that things went downhill then. “On November 15th, Dr. Chesney made charges of collusion against the seven persons who voted against his motion.” The directors claimed that the chairman then took it upon himself to appoint two persons, Brian Sears and David Fredericks, to the positions of Deputy CEO, in
Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder which they were acting. According to the report to the minister, “Prior to the vote, the chairman made it abundantly clear that if the vote went in favour of the CEO, he would not find it possible to continue. It would now seem that he had no intention of resigning if he lost, but his words were dishonestly intended to manipulate the members of the board.” The six directors urged the minister to appoint a new chairman from among the directors.They threatened to resign. “We shall not continue as members of the board under Dr. Chesney, and we be-
lieve that it would be difficult for him to otherwise obtain a quorum of five members.” According to the letter from the Minister, terminating Chesney’s appointment, there was meeting between the two on December 3rd. During that meeting, the minister said that he considered the report of the directors as a vote of no confidence against the chairmanship.“Under the circumstance, I have no option but to terminate your appointment as Chairman of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute with effect from December 13, 2018.”
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Saturday December 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
Mother of 7 charged for attempting to kill lover 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 Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC’S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822
FOR SALE 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 Land @ 17 Burial road, Helena #1 Mahaica ECD. Call: 6504431 ONE DESKTOP COMPUTER COMPLETE WITH PRINTER NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSE. #692-8464/6220267 1 Seven ft Dining set, 1 gas stove UK made, 1 iron spring bed, clothes #259-0953/6233231 Wholesale: Diesel Generators, Purple onions, Garlic, Bicycles, Baby Prams, Tiger Balm available @ GT Wholesale #655-4303 German Shepherd pups & husky pup for sale. Contact Devi #639-2828/225-3721 Going cheap, great Christmas gift.
We repair fridge, freezer, AC, TO LET washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; Furnished self-contained 683-8734. Omar rooms & 1 bedroom apt (Herstelling Moca road) #660HOUSE PLAN DRAWING 0600/622-8166 OR IF YOU NEED A ESTIMATE. #216-0671/6928464/622-0267 FB K . L A K E R A M CONSTRUCTION Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool table. Tel#2770578 Prime land & buildings- 4 minutes’ drive from Soesdyke Junction on the Linden Highway road side. #6523678 HEALTH HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924
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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 New 4 Storey Building at Parika (Guyana’s Gateway) near stelling. Willing to divide. Call: 699-4513.
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 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 Wanted experienced taxi hire car driver at Ramada Princess hotel. Contact# 616-5419/2657075 One maid. #621-3080
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Kendrea Grant A 39-year-old mother of seven who allegedly stabbed her lover was yesterday slapped with an attempted murder charge. She allegedly did this after she saw him in the company of his ex-wife. Kendrea Grant of 521 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown,
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appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore who read the charge to her. It is alleged that on November 12, last, at West Ruimveldt, with intent to commit murder, Grant wounded Otis Bailey, her lover.She was not required to plead to the indictable charge after it was read to her in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Attorney-at-law Stanley Moore who represented Grant told the court that his client was merely trying to defend herself after she was attacked by the victim’s exwife. However, Police Prosecutor Simone Payne made serious objections to bail being granted to Grant, citing the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts. According to information, on the day in question, Grant and Bailey had a misunderstanding after she saw his ex-wife at their home when she did not approve her visiting. The argument soon after escalated into a scuffle, and Grant went into the kitchen and armed herself with a knife and dealt him a stab to his chest. Bailey fell to the ground, was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted and underwent surgery. The Magistrate, after listening to both sides, overruled the Prosecutor’s objection and released Grant on $150,000 bail. The defendant was instructed to make her next court appearance on December 21 when she will appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for reassignment.
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Kaieteur News
New steel cells for Camp Street Prison will be portable – Public Security Minister where residents and businesses in Georgetown can feel more secure and safe. Ramjattan indicated that is the reason why Government adopted the steel cell modular form that’s portable, because at the present moment they do not have the space that is as secure as Camp Street to accommodate 240 more prisoners. “We cannot find that place yet. Plus when you are doing considerations for having a prison, you have to have remand prisoners that will
The Camp Street Prison which was gutted by fire last year. The new specially fabricated steel cells which will be installed at the Camp Street prisons are to be portable, according to Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan. The Minister made the disclosure yesterday to the National Assembly during scrutiny of the prison’s budgetary allocation for 2019. According to Ramjattan, an American company which has provided the steel cells to prisons in the Caribbean and Latin America will pro-
vide Guyana with ‘modular cells’, where they can be packed on each other if authorities decide to do so. He disclosed that Government has received the design and it is not going to be a complete building. “It is easily portable too, so if in view of the fact that we now have that and we want to move from Georgetown…these steel cells can be easily moved…so it is not going to be permanently structured
there. We decided that there might be some changes in plans in the future of having a prison in the heart of the city,” Ramjattan said. Previously, Ramjattan had indicated that the cells would be ready by mid-2020 to house some 180 inmates who will be transferred from Lusignan. Opposition MP, Harry Gill indicated that the current situation at Camp Street prisons is an excellent opportunity to relocate the prison to a place
Guyana made proud at 2018 CXC ... From page 16 Dennis Irvine Award, following Cecil Cox in 2015. She also copped the award for Most Outstanding Candidate in Natural Sciences. Another student from Queen’s College took the award for Most Outstanding Candidate in Mathematics. Rajiv Muneshwer achieved Grade Ones in 12 CAPE Units. Muneshwer also received the RM Results CAPE Mathematics Award. RM Results, a UK-based company, began sponsoring the award in 2017. T h e a w a r d ceremony saw 17 of the region’s top CXC students hailing from Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada, being recognized and awarded for their outstanding performances. Receiving the award for being the most outstanding candidate overall at CSEC this year was Keondre Herbert of the St Joseph’s Academy in Antigua and Barbuda. Herbert achieved Grade One passes in 20 subjects. It was Kae-Shanae Virgo of Montego Bay High School, Jamaica, who won the Best Short Story award in the English ‘A’ examination with a story entitled “Betrayal.” Two other Jamaican students copped the Visual Arts awards. Okeen Wallace of St George’s College walked
away with the Best 3-Dimensional Visual Arts Award with a piece from the Sculpture and Ceramics Option entitled “The Forest”, while Danielle Gennard of Wolmers Girls’ School copped the award for the Best 2-Dimensional Visual Arts work with her creation entitled “Deal with the devil” from the Painting and Mixed Media Option. The CSEC School of the year award went to St J o s e p h ’s A c a d e m y o f Antigua and Barbuda. Vi n centians Ryanna Glynn, a student of the Girls’ High School and Nicholi John, a student of St Vincent Grammar School, were recognised by CXC and the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants [ACCA] for their performance in Principles of Accounts [CSEC]. Among the CAPE awardees were a number of Trinidadian students. Mikhaili Toney of Presentation College, San Fernando, took the award for the Most Outstanding Candidate in Humanities. He will receive the Hodder Education CAPE Humanities Award. Kirese Narinesingh of Naparima Girls’ College took the award Most Outstanding Candidate in Language Studies with Grade One in eight Units. Seline Sundar of Lakshmi Girls’ Hindu College continued that school’s domi-
nance of regional business awards achieving Grade Ones in eight CAPE Units. Sundar will receive the ACCA CXC Business Studies Award 2018, the second time the award will be presented. A student from St Joseph’s Convent, Port of Spain, Jade Lakhan, secured the award for Most Outstanding Candidate in Environmental Science. Lakhan achieved Grade Ones in eight CAPE Units. At the ceremony too, the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence [CCSLC] top awardees for 2018 were Daria James [most outstanding female] of the Washington Archibald High School, St Kitts and Nevis, while Christian MenesesChow Chung of the Presentation Brothers Co l l e g e , Grenada, was named the most outstanding CCSLC male student. The event heard addresses from St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister D r. Ralph Gonsalves; its Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, National Reconciliation and Information, Morine Williams; Ministry of Education Jimmy Prince; Registrar Caribbean Examinations Council, Glenroy Cumberbatch, and Chairman of the Caribbean Examinations Council, Sir Hilary Beckles.
come to court early for their trials. If you put it out too far you might have a traffic problem, where you can’t arrive at court in time,” Ramjattan stated. The Minister stated that ‘rest assured, the experts are giving advice as to where we should have a huge modern prison to take care of about 1200 prisoners in Demerara. Since the Camp Street prison was destroyed by fire last year, authorities have been scrambling to maintain control of the prison popula-
tion. Temporary arrangements at Lusignan have proven difficult, with a number of instances of escapes and unrest.Government faces a daunting task in finding the funds to build a prison and to properly house all the nation’s inmates. The prison that is being built at Mazaruni, at a cost of some $3B, will only hold about 400 inmates. That cost is expected to escalate given changes made to the design. That facility is expected to be completed by 2020.
Broadcasting Authority briefs ... From page 7 operators of several violations, including incitement, showing minors accused of criminal activities, nude scenes at prime time and vulgar lyrics of songs. Several radio station licences were approved, including one for National Media and Broadcasting Company Limited, a sister company of Kaieteur News. According to Sobers, compliance has been an issue for the authority, with a new fee
structure, zoning and new guidelines for broadcasters introduced. There have also been visits to broadcasters to learn more of existing challenges. According to the chairman, the authority has also been leading by example for compliance, but also having its accounts up to date. There are cases of broadcasters who are not complying by paying their fees. GNBA has been patient and has been issuing letters before resorting to legal means.
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Saturday December 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
Detective Sergeant Keith Conway is “A” Division’s “Best Cop” Detective Sergeant Keith Conway, the rank the Guyana Police Force said solved many crimes, including murders, and saw much success in apprehension of wanted persons, and dismantling of criminal gangs among other achievements, was yesterday awarded ‘A’ Division’s much coveted “Best Cop” award. He was presented with a trophy, monetary incentives, gifts and vacation trips to Kaieteur Falls and Arrowpoint Nature Resort from stakeholders, and also the Guyana Police Force. “I’ve worked hard. I was very disciplined and dedicated. I was very consistent with my work. Coming from Berbice to Georgetown and to accomplish the best performer of the year is a great accomplishment for me,” Conway said. 2017 “Best Cop” Sergeant Gavin Boyce, who is one of the most outstanding Traffic ranks with over 1,000 cases so far for this year, was this year’s runner up, and also received a trophy, incentives and gifts among other prizes for his outstanding work. The ceremony which is held every year with the intent of giving back to ranks who have worked exception-
ally well and beyond the call of duty, was held in the compound of the Brickdam Police Station, and was also an opportunity for junior ranks to dine with the Commissioner and Senior Officers. Among those present at this year’s occasion were Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Commissioner of Police Mr. Leslie James, his four deputies, most if not all the force’s top brass, and a number of individuals from the private sector. In delivering remarks for the Division’s review for the year, Commander Marlon Chapman commended all his ranks who overcame numerous challenges to present tangible results. He also noted that the division has made significant strides in reducing serious crimes by 18% and also seized 50 illegal firearms. Chapman also stated that two of the most significant successes for the division for the year were the dismantling of the carjacking ring and the apprehension of persons who trailed and robbed persons leaving commercial banks. Commissioner James in his address to the ranks disclosed that, “We are working with our consultants to roll
Sitting from left: Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Commissioner Leslie James, Deputy Commissioner Maxine Graham, and Commander Marlon Chapman, take a photo opportunity with some of the awardees. out a reformation plan, and I can assure you all that within the first quarter of next year, you will see a much-reformed Guyana Police Force,”. The Top Cop also urged the ranks to be careful on the roadways and to look at themselves and take a different approach. “Be careful on the roadways, do not drink and drive. If you are driving,
please have a designated driver.”A stern warning was also given to drivers involved in accidents - be it minor, seri-
ous or fatal - who leave the accident scenes without rendering assistance or reporting same. The Commissioner cau-
tioned that persons who are found culpable of not doing what the law requires, will be found and prosecuted.
Man joins friend in jail after carrying The meal, which was in a ganja in food black plastic bag, was Chris Otto, who was yesterday arraigned before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, is to spend Christmas in jail with a friend after being caught trying to smuggle cannabis to the same friend. After listening to the charge, Otto denied the allegation made out against him. It is alleged that Otto on Tuesday last (December 11) at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, unlawfully introduced a narcotic that is to say a cannabis into the Courts’ lock-ups. According to police facts, on the day in question around 09:00 hrs, Otto went to the lock-ups under the pretext of bringing a meal for a remanded inmate. However,
Chris Otto Otto was denied entry as he was not properly dressed. Otto then asked several persons to do the favour of taking in the meal for him, which saw Nyron Wilson complying with the request.
checked by police constables where it was discovered that it contained several Ziploc bags, with contents suspected to be cannabis. Wilson was then questioned by the police constables, which resulted in Otto being approached and questioned. The accused denied knowledge of the package and ever making any request to Wilson. Moreover, Otto was arrested and later charged for the offence.The Prosecutor after reading the facts, asked for the defendant to be remanded, stating that there was enough evidence against him.Otto was then remanded and was instructed to make his next court appearance on January 18, 2019.
Saturday December 15, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Dance promoter jailed 30 years for raping girl, 14 -tells probation officer he was drunk, cannot recall doing such Esmond Slowe
Claiming he was intoxicated and cannot recall having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl, dance promoter Esmond Slowe was sentenced yesterday to 30 years imprisonment for the crime. Two weeks ago, a 12member mixed jury convicted Slowe of the offence with an 11-1 guilty verdict. Slowe engaged in sexual penetration with the minor on December 16, 2016. The offence occurred in the county of Demerara.
Probation Officer Pamela Atwell told the court that though Slowe has maintained his innocence, he had come to accept the decision of the jury. According to the Probation Officer, Slowe told her that the night prior to when the offence was committed he was out partying with some friends and left their company intoxicated. She further said that the convict related that he has no recollection of
having sexual intercourse with the minor, although she told him they had sex. According to Atwell, residents of Slowe’s neighbourhood as well as persons at his place of employment described him as a very quiet, easy-going person who they would see from time to time attending church. Further, she said that the residents expressed shock, since it was never felt that Slowe would commit such an act. The probation report revealed that Slowe dropped out of school at age 14 to support his family. It was further revealed that Slowe, who is married but separated from his wife, has seven children. Apart from this, he has a two-year-old child with his common law spouse, who is currently pregnant. In a statement to the court, the victim said that Slowe betrayed her in the worst way possible, adding that she hates him for what he did to her and how he made her feel. During a plea in mitigation, Attorney-at-Law Maxwell McKay adopted the findings of the probation report. The lawyer asked the
court to consider that his client is a church-goer who has no previous antecedents. The lawyer added that his client had accepted the verdict of the jurors, and holds no malice against any of them. In passing sentence, Justice Barlow pointed out that the aggravating
circumstances in this case were overwhelming. She added that the court disregarded Slowe’s claim that he was intoxicated and cannot recall the incident. Making reference to those who consume excessive alcohol, the Judge said, “People do stupid things because they are not masters of their own minds.” The judge further told the convict, “Whatever you did was your act, you will have
to face the consequences, “while adding that she could not be more lenient with the custodial sentence. In addition to the jail term, Justice Barlow ordered that Slowe undergo whatever programmes are available in the prison for sexual offenders and alcohol abusers.The case for the State was presented by Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial. (Feona Morrison)
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 15, 2018
Saturday December 15, 2018
Trophy Stall, UCCA Under-19 Inter Club 50 overs cricket continues The third round of matches in the ongoing Trophy Stall and Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) Under-19 Inter Club 50Overs round-robin competition is set to continue today with three more matches. The tournament is sponsored by the Trophy Stall soon to be opened Port Mourant Branch through the instrumentality of owner and Managing Director Ramesh Sunich.
Six teams namely No. 73 Warriors, No. 72 Cut and Load, No. 48 Cricket Club, No. 66 Cricket Club, Scottsburg United and No. 73 Rada Krishna Mandir. The matches slated for day will see Scottsburg United and No. 73 Young Warriors plying at Scottsburg. No. 66 Cricket Club being at home to No. 72 Cut and Load, while in the third encounter No. 73 Rada Krishna Mandir will play No. 48 Cricket Club at the No 73 ground. (Samuel Whyte)
Kaieteur News
Singh leads Jaguars to first innings lead over Volcanoes... From page 32 included 137 dot balls. Singh then added 69 with Barnwell who scored 46 of those runs to give the Jaguars a lead but with the total on 197, Barnwell who hit three fours and the day’s only six in his 61-balls innings was removed by the lively Elvin Berridge. Singh continued to bat responsibly and along with Anthony Bramble who is unbeaten on 11 saw the Jaguars safely to the close. Cornwall has taken 2-39 from 19 frugal overs, while Jacobs and Berridge have taken a wicket each. Scores in brief: Leewards Hurricanes182/10 (62.3 Ov) vs Guyana Jaguars215/5
Saturday December 15, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Aries, this may prove a challenging day for you. You're used to being the sovereign surrounded by courtiers currying your favor.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today is a powerful day for you. Your emotions may be stubborn, but realize the very thing you resist is the very thing you need the most.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Take care of yourself and your needs. There's an advantage to making sure your emotions are cared for and stable before you try to heal others.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today could be an unusual one for you emotionally. Your usual easygoing, adaptable nature could be ruffled by people who try to take over projects that you are perfectly qualified to do.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Take the unconventional approach today, Gemini. You're able to gain a great deal and establish a whole new perspective just by opening your lens wider CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today is a day of opposites for you. You may jump from one thing to another, Cancer. Somehow nothing seems to sit right with you, and so your search intensifies.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Try not to be too arrogant today, even when you're utterly sure you're right about the given situation. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) People may have an extra spark in their actions and an extra bite in their words today. You will find that you may be better off just walking away from any situation that doesn't feel right.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today is a terrific day for you, Leo, in which action spells reward. You can't go wrong by expressing your needs and how they fit with the collective agenda.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Express yourself to the fullest today, Aquarius. Feel free to take an unconventional approach when it comes to dealing with your emotions.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Egos may rage out of control today, leaving you to wonder what all the fuss is about. Give other people their space. If the conversation gets too boring, just smile and nod. There may be a great deal of tension among people who are fighting
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It may be hard to deal with the opposing energies today. Conflicting viewpoints and twisted perspectives clash within your world. Your emotions may pin you to one side of the issue, while a powerful force pullsyoutobelieveinamore revolutionary approach.
(83.0 Ov) -Windwards Volcanoes 206/10 (68.1 Ov) & 167/1 (52.0 Ov) vs T&T Red Force 225/ 10 (62.1 Ov). -Barbados Pride167/10 (60.2 Ov) & 93/3 (44.0 Ov) vs Jamaica Scorpions248/10 (80.4 Ov).
Changes made to... From page 33 from Berbice, Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and West Demerara began the competition for a chance to win cash prizes and trophies in excess of $1.2 million. Among the sponsors on board are Banks DIH Limited under the GT Beer Brand, Fly Jamaica, Regional Health Services, Foot-soul, Bobb and Sons, National Sports Commission and Integrated Security. The coordinator is Tito “Candy Boss” Sancho. (Samuel Whyte)
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 15, 2018
KFC Goodwill Cup football kicks off this evening Action in the inaugural KFC Goodwill Cup football which is also sponsored by Ansa Mcal will kick off this afternoon at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue where all four participating schools will be on show. G u y a n a ’s A n n a n d a l e Secondary, winners of the recently concluded GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers Schools Football league along with runnersup Christiansburg Wismar Secondary and hinterland team Annai, will take on Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o ’s (T&T) Shiva’s Hindu Boys’ College in three days of round-robin action for the KFC Goodwill Cup. During the official pretournament press conference, Petra Co-director, Troy Mendonca, contended that the key reason for his organisation putting together this event is due to the need for further development in the sport. “We hope that this tournament creates an environment that motivates players and officials to excel,” he said.
Shiva’s Hindu College team that arrived in Guyana last evening ahead of today’s opening play of the KFC Goodwill Cup. He continued by adding that the three-day tournament augurs well for the school’s football programme and measures where we [Guyana] are, in comparison to another Caribbean country and areas that may need improvement. Mendonca further posited that the tournament is vital to Petra’s thrust towards developing the sport within the school system, hinting strongly at the possibility of having it on an annual basis with the hope of inviting rep-
resentatives from other countries. This, he noted, will not affect the inclusion of hinterland teams which will always have a place in the tournament. Head of the business affairs unit of Ansa McAl, Errol Nelson, recounted the company’s lengthy history with football in Guyana. He noted that, “We will continue to be heavily involved for many more years to come. It aligns with the
company’s bid of helping to fostering grassroot development and social cohesion.” Donning two hats, Caribbean Airlines Sales representative and Guyana football federation (GFF) Executive Committee member, Dion Inniss, commended the organisation for hosting such a tournament. “I often ask why there isn’t a regional school tournament of champions and it’s easy for me to say this but the resources needed for it is a lot,” he said. “We [at Caribbean Airlines] stand shoulder to shoulder with the organisers in making future tournaments possible”, he said, recounting
that when history is perused, it will be the Petra organisation that shall be remembered for their bold step. He picked up on Mendonca’s possibility for expansion by recommending Suriname as the next country the tournament could add to its list of competing teams, saying that the eastern neighbour would be ‘game’ to be a part of the series. Switching to his GFF hat, he said that the organisation is, “Heartened to hear teams from the hinterland can look forward to having a spot in the tournament.” He said that organisations and also the Federation have to make a special effort to en-
sure that they [hinterland community teams] are given the resources of any other team in the country. We n d y F e r n a n d e s , Restaurant General Manager of KFC’s Vlissengen Road branch, told the gathering that, “It is an honour to represent KFC. Football is a major sport in Guyana and our future as a footballing nature looks encouraging with the current generation of talented youths.” Today’s matches feature Annandale playing Wismar Christanburg from 17:00, while Shiva Boys take on Annai from 19:00. Admission is $500.
Saturday December 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Hope stands alone as Windies suffer series defeat SYLHET, Bangladesh, CMC – Shai Hope struck his second successive hundred and fourth of his career but West Indies’ four-year wait for a one-day series win continued here yesterday when they went down by eight wickets to Bangladesh in the decisive third One-Day International. Entering the contest at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium with high hopes after impressively levelling the series in Dhaka on Tuesday, West Indies were brought back down to earth again when their batsmen once against disappointed, managing an inadequate 198 for nine off their 50 overs. The right-handed Hope, whose career-best unbeaten 147 was instrumental in Tuesday’ win, was once again the only beacon for the Caribbean side, stroking a high class 108 not out. He batted through the innings, facing 131 balls and striking nine fours and a six but had no support whatsoever, as only two other top order batsmen – Marlon Samuels (19) and Darren Bravo (10) – reached double figures. Hope, deservedly voted Man-of-the-Series, did not take the field when Bangladesh batted, however, after taking a blow to the helmet at the start of the 50th over and being put under observation. Not for the first time, the Windies had little answer to off-spinner Mehidy Hasan, whose four for 29 from his 10 overs left him with the Manof-the-Match honour. Captain and seamer Mashrafe Mortaza (2-34) and left-arm spinner Shakib-alHasan (2-40) supported with two wickets apiece. Bangladesh coasted in reply, with Tamim Iqbal topscoring with an unbeaten 81 and Soumya Sarkar carving out a near run-a-ball 80, comfortably reaching their target in the 39th over under no pressure. The series defeat was the Windies’ second of the year to Bangladesh following a similar 2-1 loss in the Caribbean earlier this year, and are now without a series success since they got the better of the Tigers in the Caribbean back in 2014. Sent in, West Indies lost left-hander Chanderpaul Hemraj cheaply for nine when he whacked Mehidy Hasan to point in the fourth over but Hope steadied the innings, first in a 42-run second wicket stand with Bravo and then in a 39-run, third wicket partnership with Samuels. The left-handed Bravo
struggled for 26 balls before missing a frustrated heave at Mehidy in the 14th over and having his leg stump disturbed. Samuels, meanwhile, faced 32 balls and struck two fours and was beginning to find his stride when he played on to 22-year-old speedster Mohammad Saifuddin in the 23rd over. Hope was then left to single-handedly shepherd the innings as wickets fell steadily around. He raised his half-century off 55 balls in the 20th over and was on 53 when Samuels fell with the score on 96. Shimron Hetmyer (0) and captain Rovman Powell (1) perished in quick succession, leaving the Windies deeper in the mire at 99 for five in the 26th over. The 25-year-old Hope remained unfazed, however, squeezing every run possible out of the Windies innings, with whatever partnership he could muster. He posted 34 for the sixth wicket with
Roston Chase (8), 28 with Keemo Paul (12) for the eighth wicket and 21 in an unbroken last wicket stand with Devendra Bishoo (6 not out) Hope eventually reached three figures in style at the start of the 48th over, clearing the ropes at long off with Shakib, for his third century in his last seven appearances. Bangladesh then rammed home their advantage thanks to Tamim who put on 45 with Liton Das (23) for the first wicket before adding 131 for the second wicket with the dominant Sarkar. All told, the left-handed Tamim faced 104 deliveries and counted nine fours, and was there at the end to see his side over the line. Sarkar, meanwhile, belted five fours and five sixes in an entertaining 81-ball knock before missing a full length one from seamer Paul (2-38) and losing his leg-stump, with Bangladesh already assured of victory.
Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar added 131 for the second wicket as Bangladesh romped home by eight wickets to seal the three-match series 2-1 ©Getty Images
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Saturday December 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
Trophy Stall Port Mourant/UCCA Under19 50-Overs (Round 2)
Wins for Scottsburg United, No.73 Young Warriors and No. 72 Cut & Load The Trophy Stall Port Mourant, Berbice sponsored Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Under19 50-overs round robin tournament continued last Saturday with round 2 of the competition. Scottsburg United, No.73 Young Warriors and No. 72 Cut & Load secured wins. At No.73 ground: No.73 Young Warriors defeated Radha Krishna Foundation Academy by 8 wickets. Batting first Radha Krishna Foundation Academy
were bowled out for 106 runs in 19.1 overs. I. Singh scored 38 and V .Kumar 13 were the top scorers. Bowling for No. 73 Young Warriors, Sarwan Chaitnarine took 4 for 38, Trevon Sukhu 2 for 28 and Raul Jabbar 2 for 12. In reply No. 73 Young Warriors got the runs with ease loosing 2 wickets in the process. Trevon Sukhu 52 not out and Vettorie Latchman 38 did most of the work with the bat. At No. 66 ground:
EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League
Four matches on today at Diamond Community Centre Ground Another absorbing day of action is anticipated when the 3rd edition of the East Bank Football Association / Ralph Green Under-11 League continues today, day eight. Mocha Champs, currently in 7th place, will open against 5th place Diamond Upsetters from 09:30hrs. Next up would be leaders
Agricola Red Triangle matching skills with 8th place Herstelling Raiders. Diamond United, holding down the 9th place will then oppose 11th placed Kuru Kururu Warriors from 11:00hrs with the final match of the day between the second and fourth placed teams, Agricola Red Triangle and Timehri Panthers.
Scottsburg United defeated No. 66 Cricket Club by 25 runs. Batting first Scottsburg United were bowled outfor98runsin22.3overs. Rudy Jamalodeen 29 and Hardar Budram 16 were the top scorers. Bowling for No. 66, Jaison Boodhan took 2 for 23. In reply No. 66 werebowledoutfor 55 runs in 18.1 overs. Karan Persaud 23, Charran Singh 16 and Jaison Boodhan 14 showed some resistance. Bowling for Scottsburg United Rudy Jamalodeen took 4 for 19, Stephon Norah 3 for 31 and Akhtar Nahar 2 for 2.
At No.72 ground, No. 72 Cut and Load won by virtue of walk over. Only 5 players turned up for No.48 Cricket Club. The competition continues today with fixtures as follows: No.72 Cut and Load vs. Scottsburg United, No. 66 Cricket Club vs. Radha Krishna Foundation Academy, No. 48 Cricket Club vs. No. 73 Young Warriors (Teams name first are host). This tournament is Organised by the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and is sponsored by Mr.
Rudy Jamalodeen 4 for 19
Sarwan Chaitnarine took 4 for 38
Ramesh Sunich, Managing Director of Trophy Stall with its new Location at Market Road,
Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice which will open its doors for business in January, 2019.
Kayo’s Academy and Tallo’s Youth Challenge Under 13 and 16 football continues today Former national players Kayode McKinnon and Rickland Hutson will continue to show their appreciation for the continuation of youth football in Guyana when they stage their 2018 Kayo’s Academy and Rickland ‘Tallo’ Hutson Under 13 and 16 Youth Challenge Football Fiesta at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground this morning from 10:00hrs.
This is aimed at unearthing young talented players in the form of early competition by the United States-based former National players from Linden. Hutson in his prime represented Guyana but had participated as a club player with the Eagles United club out of Christianburg, while McKinnon was a key player for the National team after making his name as a player with the Topp XX side.
The two categories of the competition will see the Milerock FC defending both titles after winning them last year and among the top challengers expected are Eagles United and Tallo Hutson’s Youths, Botafago, and the Amelia’s Ward. The clubs entering this year’s championships must have their players registered by 9.30hrs and the Under 13 teams are allowed seven players and a
goalkeeper on the field, while a total of thirteen will be accepted to play. In the Under 16 competition only twelve will be registered and seven without the goalkeeper allowed on the field of play. Generally the rules of FIFA will be applied to the playing of the competitions but any player or official of teams being given a red card will be expelled from the tournament.
Kaieteur News
Saturday December 15, 2018
Lusignan and Enmore A to clash for Inaguaral Banks Beer 100-ball title tomorrow The inagural Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club Banks Beer 100-ball tournament is set for an exciting cliamx tomorrow when Enmore A take on Lusignan. The competition commenced in October and featured 19 teams from the East Coast of Demerara in a new format. There were some exciting cricket played in the preliminaries which produced three centuries and four five-wicket hauls. The Krishna Deosarran led Lusignan A include Steve Ramdass and Rajendra Naikarran, while the Enmore A is being spearheaded by Bheemraj Ramkelawan and contain Amir Khan and Rudolph Singh. These players have been in fine form recently and al lot is expected from them. Lusignan B will take on Fairfield SC in the third place game from 09:00hrs. Off field entertainment will be provided by One Man Band, while there will also be a domino competition. Both teams earned their berth in the final following victories in their respective semi final games which was contested recently. Lusignan A got the better of Lusignan B by 59 runs at the Lusignan ground. Batting first Lusignan A racked up 141 for 6 from their 100 deliveries. Steven Ramdas scored 60 and Gavin Boodwah 25. A. Singh took
Lusignan A Vice Captain Somnauth Bharrat (left) and Enmore A Skipper Bheemraj Ramkelawan with the winning trophy. 4-13. In reply, Lusignan B were dismissed for 84 in the final over. S. Alli made 26; Rajendra Naikbarran bagged 6-5 runs from 2.2 overs; the best figures in the competition so far. In the second semifinal game which was played at Enmore, Enmore A batted first and scored 145-5. Amir Khan got 39, while Bheemraj Ramkelawan and Vishwanauth Ramlakhan contributed 22 apiece. Richard Chatura took 3-33. In reply Fairfield SC were restricted to 113-9. M. Shaw scored 19; Satash Jainarine and Ranjeet Hiralall took two wickets each for 22 and 23 runs respectively. The
final will commence at 13:00hrs. Teams; Lusignan A: Krishna Deosarran (Capt), S. Bharrat, Gavin Boodwah, Steven Ramdas, Robin Williams, V. Ramjeet, Jason Heliger, Rajendra Naikarran, V. Ramjeet, E. Khan, A. Mohammed, K. Franklin, R. Gopaul and K. Bishundial Enmore CCCC (A): Bheemraj Ramkelawan (Capt), R. Singh, Chris Surat, N. Gobin, S. Jainarine, Amir Khan, R. Hiralall, C. Seemangal, D. Mangal, Y. Dyal, Cordel Mars, K. Ramacindo, Vishwanauth Ramlakhan and I. Hassan.
GFF issues statement on the organisation of the international futsal festival Georgetown -: In a statement issued yesterday, The Guyana Football Federation has indicated that it has been planning an international futsal tournament for the past six months and was pleased to sign a binding contract with clear roles and responsibilities with the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation as the coordinators of the event. The rationale for this partnership is three-fold the release informed: 1. In order to deliver a top class event at this time of year, the GFF needed expert, third party support because of staffing and logistical requirements related to the GFF-Stag Super 16 YearEnd Tournament.
2. Under its “One Team, One Dream” mission statement, the GFF is committed to working with all football stakeholders in the promotion and development of the game, especially with those stakeholders who possess specific expertise and a positive track record in their respected disciplines. 3. It is standard practice in the sports world for national or international governing bodies to engage and partner with third parties and service providers for the delivery and organisation of tournaments, competitions, leagues and other programmes. Kashif & Shanghai have an unrivalled track record in the delivery of successful football tournaments in
Guyana and we have every confidence that they will be the perfect partner for the GFF to stage a memorable and popular futsal tournament. GFF President Wayne Forde said: “It might be useful for the football fraternity to recognise how fractured we are as a family, which certainly does not serve the best interests of the game. It is, therefore, my goal to seek to build consensus, cooperation, respect and compliance, and to set out with clarity a direction that every stakeholder can play a part in. This can only benefit football. Infighting and bitterness can only hold us back from our aim to develop the game.”
Metro on board for KMTC Boxing Day horse racing
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President of the KMTC and former Justice Cecil Kennard (right) accepts the prizes from Metro’s Admin Assistant, Shivanie Sooklall, while Andrew Hing displays the first place trophy.
As part of their corporate responsibility, Metro Office and Computer Supplies has thrown their support behind the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) for the staging of their Boxing Day horserace meet which is schedule for Bush Lot, Corentyne. The entity presented $1million and the winning trophy for the feature E and Lower race which will cover a distance of seven furlongs, to President of the KMTC Cecil Kennard, during a simple ceremony held yesterday at the company’s Quamina Street location. This event is expected to feature most of the country’s top horses. The company’s Admin Assistant, Shivanie Sooklall, said they are delighted to sponsor the top prizes of the event and wished the competitors well. Former Justice, Kennard stated that the entity has been onboard with the Boxing Day
meet for over two decades and expressed gratitude to the company for their backing. Kennard informed that the track is in excellent shape for a successful day of horseracing. Other races billed for the day are, the H1 and Lower race, along with the Three-yearold and over races which will see the winners taking home $250,000 and $240,000 respectively. Meanwhile, the Two-year-old Guyanabred (Maiden) which will be contested over a distance of five furlongs will see the winner galloping away with $200,000; the L-Open $140,000, L-Non winners: $120,000 and Lnon earners $100,000. The races will be run under the regulations of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and entries will be closed tomorrow.
Kaieteur News
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Saturday December 15, 2018
Tucville Secondary claim NSC Al Sport and Tour Promotions windball title
Tucville Secondary defeated Central High to win the final of the National Sports Commission AL Sport and Tour Promotions 27th Annual Christmas Term school boys Windball Cricket Tournament which was played recently at National Gymnasium. Central High managed 84-1, batting first with J. Thomas scoring 56. Tucville responded with 88-1; Keron Wright made 42 and Dwayne Jones 25. Earlier, Central High made 55-5, Deonarine Tiwari got 38; Dwayne Jones captured 4-10. Tucville Secondary replied with 60-2, Keron Wright scored 26; Tiwari had 2-46. East Ruimveldt Secondary posted 110-4, Osaze Forbes made 45. Carmel Secondary were limited to 94-3 with Jamal Da Santos scoring 42. Carmel got to 64-4, Simenon Allicock hit 29. Tucville responded with 69-1; D Jones got 45. Central High rattled up 118-0; Tiwari struck 60 and Joshua Thomas 50. East Ruimveldt were restricted to
76-4, Timothy Prescott made 31; Tiwari had 2-15 and Thomas 2-21. In an exhibition match, Natural Resources took first strike and scored 65-3; T. Franklin made 22; M. Crawford took two wickets. GDF replied with 66-1, A. Thomas stroked 50.Central High managed 123-1, Dolchan Thomas struck 42 and Joshua Hamilton 22. Soesdyke got to 98-4 in reply. Devone Williams slammed 58; Tiwari snared 4- 38. Tucville piled up 137 without loss; Dwayne Jones stroked 83. East Ruimveldt mustered 55-3 in response. A. Allen made 32. Central High scored 111-2 with J. Hamilton scoring 74. Soesdyke managed 103-4, in reply. Ronaldo Walcott got 23; Tiwari had four wickets. Outstanding Players - East Ruimveldt –R. Baldeo, Tucville – D. Jones, Central High - J. Thomas and D. Tiwari, Soesdyke - D. Williams, Carmel – S. Allicock.
Regional 4-day Cricket in Antigua
Singh leads Jaguars to first innings lead over Volcanoes Test batsman Vishaul Singh registered his second half-century of the season and 14th at this level with a carefully constructed unbeaten 68, while Chris Barnwell fell four short of his tenth fifty as Guyana Jaguars ended the second day of their second round Regional four-day encounter against Leewards Volcanoes yesterday at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound Antigua with a lead of 33 with five wickets in hand. Resuming the day on 36-2 replying to the 182 made by the Volcanoes and the 29-yearold Singh, who played the last of his three Tests in May last year, was still there at the end of the day after facing 157 balls and reaching the ropes seven times with Jaguars on 215-5. The GCC left hander shared two halfcentury stands after he came to crease when night watchman Clinton Pestano, who reached the ropes four times in his 44 ball 25, was bowled by burly off-spinner Rakeem Cornwall at 70-3. Singh first added 58 from 156 balls with Tagenarine Chanderpaul in a partnership that was as exciting as watching paint dry. While the son of former Test batsman the illustrious Dr. Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Vishaul Singh followed his 74 in St Lucia with an unbeaten 68 yesterday. struggled to get the ball off the square and contributed 10 runs from 73 balls, Singh added 42 to stand. With the score on 128 Damion Jacobs ended Chanderpaul’s turtle paced innings when he trapped the left-hander LBW for 29 with two boundaries from 156 balls which (Continued on page 27)
Tucville Secondary School and Outstanding Players.
Saturday December 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 33
More corporate partners on board the GFF-Exxonmobil International Futsal Festival Two more corporate partners have committed to the successful execution of the GFF-ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival scheduled for December 27 – 30 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Trophy Stall and Auto Fashion yesterday have each donated the championship trophy and medals respectively for the eight participating teams in this inaugural tournament. Long-time sports supporter and proprietor of Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich, has expressed his pleasure to collaborate with the tournament and committed his continuous support of sports in Guyana. Rupie Shewjattan, Proprietor of Auto Fashion, said he is pleased to support
the initiative as his business has been a sponsor of football for a number of years and “we like to support sports especially for a good reason.” He has indicated his b u s i n e s s ’s i n t e r e s t i n continuing the sponsorship next year. The four-day festival will kick off with six matches that will be played between the hours of 18:00hrs and 00:00hrs with each match being played on the hour culminating with the final match at 23:00hrs. The teams, which include Morvant Caledonia United from Trinidad and Tobago, ZV All-Stars from Suriname, and a São Paulo selection from Brazil, will be placed in two groups. The locally participating teams are an East Coast All-Stars,
Trophy Stall’s Ramesh Sunich (centre) presents the Championship Trophy to GFF’s Keeran Gray and Tournament Organiser representative Frank Parris.
Changes made to GT Beer/ Candy Boss, Antics Promotion 8-a-side Football in Berbice As the GT Beer/ Candy Boss and Antics Promotion 8-a-side Football Invitational tournament continues in Berbice some changes have been made to the format of the tournament. With five teams already through to the next round and one more still to advance the organisers have now divided the teams into two groups with each team playing each other in the respective groups and the top two advancing to the semifinal. The teams already through are, Paradise FC, Monedderlust, Rosignol United and No5 FC all of the West Coast Berbice and defending champions Police
FC. They will be joined by either Golden Stars or Mahaica Determinators who were expected to play in the first game of a double header yesterday. The second game of that double header was expected to see No5 taking on Paradise. The competition is being played under lights at the All Saints Scott Church ground in Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam Berbice. Group A is made up of No5 FC, Paradise FC and Police FC. Group B consist of Monedderlust, Rosignol United and the winner of the G o l d e n S t a r s Ve r s e s Mahaica Determinators game.Thirty-two teams (Continued on page 27)
Linden All-Stars, Georgetown All-Stars and West Demerara All-Stars. The winning team will pocket $1.2 million, while the losing finalist will receive half that amount. Third and fourth-placed finishers will pocket $300,000 and $100,000 respectively.
Rupie Shewjattan (2nd left), Proprietor of Auto Fashion makes the presentation to GFF’s Keeran Gray in the presence of Tournament Organisers Aubrey “Shanghai” Major (left) and Frank Parris.
rt o p S
KFC Goodwill Cup football kicks off this evening
From left, Ansa McAl’s Errol Nelson, Caribbean Airline’s Dion Innis, Annai’s Captain Orville Daniels, Annandale’s Captain Jerome Harrigan, Petra Co-director Troy Mendonca, Wendy Fernandes of KFC, Petra’s Jacquline Boodie and Ansa McAl’s Fharis Mohamed all pose for a photo at the presser.
Hope stands alone as Windies suffer series defeat Shai Hope tried to steady the innings, hitting some crisp shots in between ©Getty Images Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das started steadily before Liton Das fell to Paul for 23 ©Getty Images
Regional 4-day Cricket in Antigua
Singh leads Jaguars to first innings lead over Volcanoes 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.