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Kaieteur News
Friday December 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Friday December 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Longer prison terms are a kneejerk response
T
he sentencing of criminals should serve several purposes, but primarily these might be retribution, deterrence, prevention and rehabilitation. Courts and prisons are not most voters’ top priority – as can be seen from the budgetary allocations to justice budgets since 2010. Until recently, these were the lowest among any government department. But they are understood to be necessary, along with the police, to ensure that laws are enforced. Two high-profile recent failures have thrown an unforgiving light on sentencing and the wider justice system of which it is part. While there are lessons to be learned from both cases, so far the reaction has been disappointingly kneejerk. In the United Kingdom the promise expected in the Queen’s speech, to increase the minimum portion of a jail sentence that some violent offenders must serve, from a half to two-thirds, may turn out to be popular. It is not a serious effort to confront the crisis engulfing our prisons, probation service and courts. Usman Khan, who murdered two people before being killed by police at London Bridge last month, was freed from prison on licence in 2018 after serving a sentence for terror offences committed in 2012. His actions caused a huge row in the middle of the election campaign, with Boris Johnson shamelessly attempting to pin the blame for his release on Labour in the face of protests from one of the victim’s parents. While it is easy to point to “softness” as a contributory factor in such disasters, the complexity resulting from frequent policy changes was also responsible for a situation that saw convicted terrorists released, for a period, without going before a parole board (it is disputed whether or not a parole hearing was among the court of appeal’s recommendations when Khan’s original sentence was reduced). Joseph McCann, who was sentenced to 33 life sentences last week for a horrific series of rapes and kidnappings committed against 11 women and children earlier this year, should have been recalled to prison when he was convicted of burglary in 2017, under the terms of a previous sentence. That this did not happen has been blamed on probation officers. But while no system is perfect, and service providers must be accountable, it should also be recognised that this mistake took place in the context of cuts, and workloads found by some prison wardens to be “unmanageable”. The starting point for an intelligent discussion of these cases, and others in which former prisoners reoffend, must be to recognise that the issues are complicated. Unless everyone who commits a crime is to be locked up forever, there is no alternative but to try to balance risks. Imprisonment for public protection sentences, such as Khan’s, were abolished after the European court of human rights declared them unlawful in light of prisoners being denied the rehabilitation courses they needed (and jails becoming overcrowded as a result). This is not an argument against long sentences where they are warranted, or against paying attention to public opinion. The justice system itself should be more outward-facing (without cameras in courts, the public is shielded from the destructive effects of cuts, unlike in hospitals or schools). Simpler judgments, with copies given to victims as well as defendants, would help. But if politicians want the system to command public confidence, they need to set an example. Mr Johnson and his home secretary, Priti Patel, should give up their authoritarian signalling, and foolish threats to “terrify criminals”, in favour of substantive change.
(Adapted from The Guardian)
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.
It would be a shame and downright disgrace… DEAR EDITOR, It would be a shame and downright disgrace if we Guyanese were to wake up one day only to discover that we have been shafted and left empty-handed with nothing but incompetence and penury for ourselves, our children and grandchildren to inherit, instead of tangible benefits from profits accrued from the oil and gas industries. Since the discovery of oil as part of our national patrimony, the enormous number of ideas, suggestions, calculations, criticisms, letters to editors, front page comments and editorials that have been published far outnumber those published in respect to general and regional elections. Don’t talk about the number of workshops, seminars, lectures, talks, discussions and consultations that have been held thus far at the Marriott, Pegasus, Princess, Duke Lodge and other locations, it’s like talk-shop galore! The discovery of oil and gas has also given rise to an abundance of overnight ‘specialists,’ ‘consultants’ etc; who, by the way, never lifted a finger in the oil and gas sector in any part of the world, but have suddenly become ‘experts’ on the subject. A few short courses here and there as well as extensive plagiarism from articles treating with the vagaries of the oil and gas industries on Facebook, from Time and the Economist monthlies, seem to be just good enough to rebrand oneself either as an ‘expert’ or simply ‘knowledgeable’ on the oil and gas industry. H o w e v e r, t h e r e a l McCoys with years of experience under their belt, are those who sit at the headquarters of the ExxonMobils and Tullows of this world. These shadowy individuals must be following with amusement how we Guyanese are struggling to come to grips with the intricacies of a highly complex and global industry. Here are some of the issues they must have been tracking and formulating position papers on for their internal use: 1) Guyana’s insufficient
national capacity to manage/administer its oil and gas sector; 2) The absence of enough checks and balances in place to address the vagaries of the sector; 3) That Guyana is into first oil as a nation divided politically and shaped by the divisive narrative that “both sides want to get their hands on the oil money;” 4) There is no bipartisan strategy to address public concerns confronting the sector; 5) Government’s face to face bidding process for the first three shipments of Guyana’s oil profit has been roundly criticized publicly; 6) Public criticism has arisen over the signing off of a lifting contract which has been deemed illegal; 7) Public calls have been made to renegotiate ExxonMobil’s contract; 8) Public criticisms have been made over government’s policy that no penalties will be levied on oil companies for
overstatements; 9) Stakeholders have called on the United Nations to put paid to “Guyana’s oil activities until the (Guyanese) people’s human rights are protected”. The lure of money to line the pockets of an avaricious group, is reminiscent of the era of the gold rush portrayed in the movies ‘North to Alaska’ or ‘White Fang,’ only this time around, Rachel Boyton’s ‘Big Men’ or Alex Gibney’s ‘Enron the Smartest Guys in the Room’ are more relevant to watch in these exciting yet troubling times. What is worrisome is where is all this information ending up? Who is gathering the data being bandied about? Why isn’t there a national depository for storage of the published information? Where is the separation of scientific knowledge from the trashtalking place? Why hasn’t a scientifically-based national committee been established to do the analysis? Why
h a s n ’t a b r o a d - b a s e d national committee been established to ensure that the common man and woman be the principal beneficiaries of revenues from the oil sector? Why can’t we, like the strategists at their headquarters in Texas and elsewhere, put in place a dedicated, national consensual team whose task will be, among others, to gather and analyze relevant data and, to develop strategic and developmental approaches for the utilization of resources that will flow from profits derived from the petroleum sector? As a nation, it is to be regretted that we’ve lost almost three years without reaching a multiparty agreement on a national petroleum strategy and an implementation plan for the development of the oil and gas industries. In the meantime, the transnational corporations and the (Continued on page 29)
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 20, 2019
Basil Butcher’s legacy is secure in Government can reduce road deaths bus-passes from the govern- come public servants, serving Basil Butcher was a strong and Sobers, the two our hearts Kanhai ment and presents that in the the public for a monthly fee. best batsmen on the team. It family man, a true patriot of quickly bus instead of cash. The govThis way, our government DEAR EDITOR, Basil Butcher, in my youth, was a very popular sports figure, and cricket was truly “cricket, lovely cricket”. I remember his performances at Lords and other cricket stadiums all over the world and we youths were affixed to our little radios, listening as the West Indian team under Garfield Sobers dished out victory after victory. This period in the 1960s, we were very proud that four of our players were solid West Indies team players: Lance Gibbs (who I grew up next to on Laluni Street), Rohan Kanhai, Joe Solomon and Basil Butcher (all three from Port Mourant where the Jagans always resided). One should remember that Basil Butcher wore no helmet and other safety devices when he faced the likes of Freddie Truman, the premier English fast bowler who delivered balls at 87 mph bumpers, swingers and everything else. One should remember that Butcher was a gentleman always, even when unfair decisions were made against him by umpires who did not have the modern technology now available. On one occasion when he was dismissed even though it was clear that the ball had hit his shirt sleeve and not his bat, he said to a reporter, “the umpire is always right”. One should remember that Basil Butcher achieved recognition at the upper echelons of worldwide cricket, but always kept his roots in Guyana and always gave full meaning to what we as a nation could produce. One should remember that Basil Butcher was placed in the batting line-up for the West Indies team between
shows the high regard which the selectors placed in his abilities, mirroring the great Clive Walcott’s positive assessment of Butcher’s skills years before, when Walcott led the Guyana cricket team . Mr. Clive Lloyd has called for a Hall of Fame to be established and Basil Butcher to be inducted - this idea should be universally accepted and acted upon in a very timely manner. Our country should establish a cricket academy to discover and nourish all the potential Butchers in our youthful population, because cricket has changed and our young citizens could compete both at home and at international levels. County cricket should be revitalized and energized to produce our new Basil Butchers, because he was a product of the keen county cricket which once dominated that sport.
Guyana, and a great ambassador and pioneer of Guyana and West Indian cricket these attributes and achievements should give us all pause to remember such a great Guyanese sportsman, and to take a little time out of our busy lives to reflect on his career and contribution to all of us. All condolences to his family who loved and respected him so much; all condolences to our Republic, as we have lost a true son of Guyana; all condolences to the West Indian cricketing world for the loss of such a brilliant player during the “glory” days. God bless Basil Butcher and keep him safe - his legacy is secure in our hearts and our nation will always cherish his important journey to becoming a Guyanese legend. Yours faithfully, Cheddi(Joey)Jagan(Jr.)
DEAR EDITOR, I will be brief. For as long as bus operators are not all being paid a fixed flat monthly rental for their much-needed services (and are instead left to fight and race each other for passengers and to speed to complete as many trips as possible to make their money) we will continue to have as many road deaths as seems to now be the new norm. Public transportation is transportation provided usually by the government. We instead have private transportation being provided to the public. But with public transportation the government pays the bus operators. With public transportation, the Government is the boss, not the passenger or the bus operator. The passenger does not pay the bus operators. The passenger purchases
SOME THOUGHTS ON LOCAL CONTENT POLICY DEAR EDITOR, It is of great interest to read the debate over local content policy as it relates to the oil and gas sector. At the same time, one hears how the government plans to ensure the economy becomes more diversified, so that after the oil boom we will have a country that can stand on its own. These two objectives would appear to run contrary to each other: it is already apparent that major local companies are committing capital to the energy sector that otherwise might have been spent in other parts of the economy. For example, scarce real estate on the East Bank is already being used for
shorebase and related operations, when there might be more long term beneficial uses for it. As for human resources, one already sees a wide set of skilled workers being drained away from non-oil sectors. This will only increase in the coming years, threatening to hamper the growth of established industries such as manufacturing. So perhaps we need to step back and look again at the insistence of local content specific to the oil and gas industry, and plan instead to incentivise businesses to invest in specific areas that would be of more benefit to
the common good. One thinks of safe public transportation, education, health and infrastructure. In fact, it might be in the interest of the country to even quarantine the oil and gas sector, and simply leave it to foreign companies given its size and enormous appetite for capital and labour. This, of course, would not be a popular view among the local private sector, which is the loudest voice in the local content crusade. However this paradox between local content and avoiding the resource curse needs to be reconciled. Yours sincerely Albert Russell
ernment in turn uses the monies, raised from the sale of bus passes, to pay the bus operators. With public transportation, the government has complete control over how high or low bus fares should go. And with public transportation, there are no accidents worthy of report, because the bus operators do not need to pick up as many passengers, or make as high a number of trips as possible to make their money. Similarly, our government would save our lives if they too collect cash from passengers and then use it to pay the bus operators one flat equal monthly rental to cover gas, maintenance and driver salaries, etc. (The government can also provide gas subsidies for the operators). Let the bus operators be-
need not buy new buses. But most importantly, our bus operators would see no more benefit in speeding, or overtaking on turns, or racing, or overloading, or overcharging, or working only during profitable hours, or only on profitable routes, or using touts to pull and tug at passengers, etc. None of these activities would increase their monthly payment. This new system can be phased in. Alternately, a date can be announced for a complete switch-over, along with a deadline for bus operators to sign up. Too many of us know someone who died recently, or was at least injured, in a bus accident that proper public transportation could have avoided if it were being provided. John
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The number of road fatalities is deeply standing at strategic points speeding could result in a worrying with speed guns to capture ticket posted to your home. DEAR EDITOR, The number of road fatalities is deeply worrying, the most recent of which resulted in the deaths of five persons and injuries to several others at Mahaicony. Accidents, it is said, do not just happen; they are caused. Most accidents are the result of excessive speeding, failing to adhere to traffic rules and driving under the influence of alcohol. I think it is time for the traffic department to re-evaluate its operational plan to reduce the number of accidents on our roads. Traffic ranks should be deployed to control speed by way of vehicular movements on the roads, rather than
unsuspecting speeding motorists. Speed limits should also be standardized at realistic levels as opposed to the differentiated limits seen across the country, in some cases with no apparent logic. Except in extreme cases, motorists who violate traffic rules should be issued with a ticket payable at the nearest police station or post office. This would minimize the tendency to offer bribes by delinquent motorists to traffic ranks. The use of electronic monitoring devices should also be explored, as in the case of the developed world, where attempts at jumping traffic lights or excessive
What is being suggested here is a more proactive rather than reactive approach in dealing with road accidents. No amount of exhortations by the President or the Police Commissioner would suffice, unless these are backed by institutional and innovative operational strategies and plans. I extend my condolences to the relatives of all those who perished in the recent accident on the Mahaicony road. The driver of the minibus, Seechan Chandilall, was personally known to me as a very humble and likeable individual. May their souls rest in peace! Hydar Ally
HAVE WE LOST OUR MINDS? DEAR EDITOR, I am perplexed at the miasma emanating from the Guyanese understanding of the word like. Facebook offers online reader an opportunity to express their feelings after reading an article by liking it. I guess Facebook did not put the opposite of like (hate) because no one wants to promote hate in the world. The general idea is that if you don’t like something just leave it. There were two contrasting articles in KN Sunday 15th that I would like to direct attention to. One is, “Bandits return to crime scene with armed driver to collect crashed bike.” The article tells about two bandits on motorcycle snatching a gold chain from a woman who was driving a car. The woman chased them down, crashed into a vehicle, but somehow managed to induce the rider to crash into a minibus. The bandits were picked
up by a car. The car returned to the scene and the driver drew a gun while the two bandits proceeded to beat the taxi driver who was trying to keep the bike until the police arrived at the scene. The bandits took the bike and got away. At the time of writing, 367 people had liked this article online. Are we crazy? Or is this a reflection of our obsession with crime. Maybe we have watched too many movies and our fascination for crime has overwhelmed us. Had the article stated that the bandits were apprehended, the 367 “likes” could have been justified. On October 16th a KN article, “Head-on collision leaves five dead, one critical – as police vehicle slams into car”, amassed 47 “likes”. People are dying in numbers on our roadways, and we seem to be liking it. The other article in focus is, “Bridging the information
gap”. This article offers an opportunity for Guyanese to play a part in deciding their destiny and the destiny of their future generations. It speaks of KN dedicating one of its pages, “on a daily basis towards highlighting issues about the oil industry”. The article gives the assurance that KN, “will expose the dirty and dubious tactics used by oil companies, including corrupting politicians and making secretive deals.” The article further stated, “We are offering this feature as a public service and we welcome any suggestions.” This article offers citizens the opportunity to join in a united struggle to avoid the” resource curse” that has struck so many African countries, from striking Guyana. Our livelihood and that of our children is at stake here and only 8 people indicated that they “like” it online. Are we that depraved that we cannot recognize good over evil? Rudolph Singh
APNU- AFC challenged to defend manifesto promises DEAR EDITOR, Many promises in the APNU and AFC political manifestos were designed to attract votes form a wide cross section of the population, but essentially to solidify and secure their hard core support base. Many of the promises made are not honoured faithfully by the political party since elected to govern. Deviation from some of these promises is replaced by actions of partisan and political “selfish, self-interest”. The leaders of the APNU – AFC Government, and party leaders, are called upon, and challenged to justify and de-
fend their policies and decisions to this nation during their election campaigning. The following two issues are to be addressed by APNU – AFC politicians: Substantial Remuneration Increases to itself: • They must justify the decision that, within weeks of its assumption of government, it awarded itself (Executive and National Assembly) some 50% salary increases, and substantial remuneration, and other benefits to the Executive not widely known. This action is a glaring conflict of interest, ignoring other impartial means of determining
the benefits through the recommendations of an independent body for parliamentary approval. Constitutional Reform: • They must explain to this nation why they ignored the call and made the promise for a more inclusive and broad-based government through major constitutional changes and amendments for shared governance and power sharing, given the context of deep rooted ethnic and political party nexus, so as to build long term national governance consensus, in the national interest. Joshua Singh
Friday December 20, 2019
Elections, the Presidency, the future development of Guyana and the Judicial System DEAR EDITOR, Today I shall write briefly on certain topics which may be of interest to the People of Guyana. These subjects concern the following: 1] Elections 2] The Presidency 3] The future development of Guyana 4] The Judicial System 1] Elections. I am indeed very happy and comfortable that elections will be held sometime in March of next year. At least this demonstrates that Guyana is still a democratic country, where the people of the country have the right to exercise their voting rights. Also, not to mention the number of political parties fighting to rule the country for the next five years. This is true democracy at work. 2] The Presidency. It continually appears that in the political parties there are several candidates to be President. However, a President must possess certain qualities that go beyond simply speaking well and good economic policies. A president must have true humanitarian qualities which must emanate from within and set an example to rest of the society to aspire to: A] Take care of the weakest in society such as vulnerable infants, elderly suffering from illnesses, single mothers, abused women etc. By taking care of the weakest in society, we strengthen the over-
all social and moral fabric of society, and this should definitely come from the President who should lead by example. B] Advocate for education to be free for all from nursery straight through to University level. In this way Guyana will produce a workforce that is capable of continually developing the growth of the Guyanese economy. C] As our Founder leader, the late Hon. Linden Forbes Burnham said, “we must be able to feed, clothe and house the nation. It is my disgust to see people walking the streets, half-naked, looking for something to eat from bins and sleeping on pavements. One shudders to think what occurs when it rains.” While there may be such a person in Guyana or in the Political parties, I cannot tell the voting public whom they can choose. It is their choice. Vote with your mind and spirit. 3] The Development of Guyana. Every day I have read about the oil industry and its benefits. These benefits are of course welcome, but while there are so many obvious flaws in the oil contracts and as yet no legislation to protect the local economy against foreign exploitation through various loopholes in the contracts which have yet to be closed, should we not also focus on the existing industries of this country which must be further developed.
Diversification of the economy is essential to buffer against any crashes in the oil prices in the future. These crashes are of course inevitable, as oil operates in the boom and bust economic model, and also is vulnerable to continuing passing legislation which continues to move the world economy away from fossil fuel dependency. For example in Germany, there will be no more production of combustion engines after 2030. These other industries include agriculture, gold, bauxite, manganese, uranium, tin, zinc, copper and a further plethora of as yet undeveloped industries. Agriculture, for example, if fully developed, can supply the Caricom and also further afield. While the government was and still should be criticized for closing the sugar factories and estates, no one takes into account the depreciation factor. When it was nationalized this government and the last one took more equipment which had outlasted its usefulness or was close to being worn out. The result was a fall in sugar production as the figures show. In my humble opinion, the land from these closed estates should be formed into cooperatives, where other crops can be cultivated. One must also look at the cost of production and the price of these (Continued on page 29)
Nurturing a lawless road culture DEAR EDITOR, It is beyond time that the government brings all public minibus and taxi operators within a strict regulatory and legal framework for standards, public safety and security and price control of customer fares. The horrific accident at Mahaicony on December 18, 2019 and recent accidents present indications of speeding by minibus drivers that endangered the lives of their passengers. In many cases lives were lost. Daily, I observe minibus and taxi drivers speeding and indulging in some of the most dangerous and unlawful acts on the roadways. In many countries the traveling public enjoys the pleasure of using public transportation that is convenient, economical, clean, orderly and safe. In Guyana, it is a daily lawless culture by must operators with annoying touts, disorderly queue systems of vehicles, and disrespectful drivers and conductors that are poorly dressed, unhygienic (smelling foul), at times verbally and physically abusive,
lack courtesy, at times not licensed to drive and driving a vehicle without the necessary documentation, drinking alcohol, and ill treating the elderly and school children, as just a few to mention. Then there is the retrofitting of minibuses and taxis with boomboxes that play loud and vulgar music to the pleasure of the drivers and conductors, and without any consideration of passengers’ taste, health and feelings. Part of the lawlessness is how taxi and minibus drivers and conductors offload passengers in traffic and at any location on the roadways without consideration for the safety of passengers and other motorists and pedestrians that would be affected. There is no respect on the use of bus stops and established routes. Minibus drivers do as they please, with limited sanction. As a driver, at times I have experienced minibus and taxi drivers trying to bully me in a corner so they can speed past me. The sad part is that passengers often sit silently while the lawlessness occurs.
The lawlessness is beyond unbearable and the time for talk has passed. It is time to get totally strict with regulations and a public transportation body to craft policies, monitor and police a respectable and people-friendly public transportation system, especially based on services by private operators. I daresay it is also time for government to get back into the business of public transportation to end the lawless monopoly by private operators. Further, it is time to remove the central bus parks from the Stabroek Market area. It is time for a modern bus terminus and a well thought-out system. What we have today is a system dictated mostly by lawless operators who have played a part in nurturing a lawless road culture and I dare say a lawless communication and disdainful culture in Guyana. I wish to use this opportunity to express my sincerest sympathies to the families that lost loved ones to road accidents. Regards, Jermaine Grant
Friday December 20, 2019
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Energy Dept aims at capacity building ‌ to meet local content demands Energy Director Mark Bynoe has contended that blanket quotas for participation by local service providers and suppliers in the oil sector, and strict penalties for non-compliance to Guyanas local content policy, are not enough to ensure locals can actively participate in the sector and glean value for themselves. He said that the Government is working to ensure, as adumbrated in the yet to be released policy document, that there is sufficient capacity building, knowledge transfers, efficiency promotion and technological enhancement. The Energy Director explained the Departments approach during an address at an awards dinner hosted by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), on Wednesday evening at the Pegasus Hotel. Dr. Bynoe said that Guyanese have been benefitting from technical training, and that Esso Exploration and Production Limited (EEPGL) has been working with the Council for Technical & Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), and the Board
of Industrial Training to conduct third party assessments of laboratories and various TVET institutions. EEPGL is reportedly assisting to rehabilitate labs and reviewing the curriculum offered by those institutions for industry readiness. The company is also reportedly in discussions with Government to establish a small and micro financing facility for small, indigenous business to build their capacity. The Energy Director said that for some time, public discussion on local content tended to assume that locals already have the capabilities the oil sector needs, while suffering from a bias against them by foreign companies. He added that while those discussions would focus on legislative mandates that strictly separate the definitions of indigenous companies from others (with identifiers such as place of incorporation or identity of shareholders), more benefit would come from involving the creation and improvement of basic, managerial technical and operational skills, and the development of vocational training programmes.
The Energy Director said that the policy in the Energy Departments possession will have to be viewed in light of broader obstacles to Guyanese participation in economic activity, like the countrys poor ease of doing business ranking and its struggling educational standards. To this end, Dr. Bynoe is advocating for an inter-ministerial approach to improve access to education, with the help of the ministries whose sectors are set to benefit from Guyanas oil boom. Dr. Bynoe said that the local content approach adopted and the measures it adumbrates will seek to plug the gaps that form barriers to participating in economic activity, instead of “trying to create a one-for-all approach by mandating minimum quotas, for example, for domestic employment obligations and training budgets�. He said that the adminis-
tration of the policy will be overseen by a series of public institutions that, by virtue of that additional mandate, will need to be empowered in terms of expertise and budgetary resources, due to the resource intensive nature of the task. The Local Content Policy now in its fourth draft, has been submitted to the Energy Department by the Consultant, Dr. Michael Warner. It is expected to be released to the public before month-end.
Energy Director, Dr. Mark Bynoe
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Guyana begins producing oil with ‘bad habits’
Friday December 20, 2019
Man scared of surgical blades escapes from GPHC with gown on
…look at how we handled mining & forestry -Dr. Mangal By Gary Eleazar The former Petroleum Advisor to the President, Dr. Jan Mangal, believes that Guyana is beginning on its path as an oil producing nation with some ‘bad habits,’ with regards its regulatory practices. Dr. Mangal made this comment in a recent interview with Kaieteur News recently—ahead of first oil. The petroleum expert in seeking to elucidate his position said, “Look at how we handled gold mining and forestry?” According to the former petroleum advisor to the
President, the challenges that have manifested in the industry illustrate “that our regulatory environment has not worked, for decades.” The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is tasked with regulating the new extractive industry but according to Dr. Mangal, “GGMC, I view it as a den of corruption.” Qualifying his position on Guyana’s bad habits Dr. Mangal noted,”If we have decades of this stuff going on, the bodies there that are responsible are obviously not working.” Drawing reference to
Former Petroleum Advisor to the President, Dr. Jan Mangal imminent first oil and the country’s regulatory capacity, Dr. Mangal said, “That is what we have to start with and then we want to regulate oil.” He was adamant that there needs to be an overall revamping of the agency in order to fix the existing problems, something “that we should have been doing since 2015 (when oil was first discovered).” Dr. Mangal was adamant if the deficiencies are not corrected, “oil will shoot past us like that; all the money will end up in Exxon’s pocket and in the pockets of the elite and the corrupt.” GGMC is currently facing an administrative probe reportedly ordered by President David Granger into alleged corrupt practices at the agency.
A distraught mother is desperately searching for her 42-year-old son after he escaped from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The man was told a surgery was scheduled to be performed on him. The incident is said to have occurred on Wednesday around 14:30hrs. The missing man has been identified as Kevin Hinds of Lot 52 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara. Kaieteur News understands that Hinds was admitted into the medical facility on Sunday around 6:30hrs after complaining of stomach pains. However after being told about the surgical procedure that had to be performed on him, he escaped from the hos-
pital. At the time, he was dressed only in a surgical gown. The man’s mother, Linda Hinds, said her son is usually scared to go to the hospital because he is afraid of needles and blades. However, last Saturday night Kevin complained of feeling severe pains in his stomach. She said that she took him to the medical facility. “No matter what happened to him he would not go to the hospital, but Saturday night he start to cry out real bad about belly pain. And I could not take it anymore… because I was scared that something might happen to him.” According to Ms. Hinds, after hours of pleading with her son to go to the medical facility he finally went on Sunday. Upon arrival at the hospital, he was seen by a doctor who later informed Ms Hinds that her son would be admitted, so that some other tests
and X-Rays could be performed on him. However things did not go as planned. According to sources after changing into the surgical gown on Wednesday, Hinds began to cry. It was then that a nurse at the hospital went over to the man’s bed and tried to console him. In doing so, she explained the procedure he had to undergo step by step. The nurse then left Hinds in the room and went to carry out other duties. Upon her return, she realized that the man had left the room. Up to press time it was unclear how the man exited the hospital compound wearing the surgical gown. Linda Hinds is concerned that her son might be in danger since he usually would take tablets every morning for mental issues and depression. When contacted, sources at the hospital told Kaieteur News that they believed that the man waited until dark to exit the hospital compound.
Friday December 20, 2019
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BLIND MAN’S BUFF I
t is said that you can not expect different re sults if you continue doing the same thing all the time. This is a strategy for failure Everyone has a solution to the deaths and accidents which are taking place on the country’s roads. Some of the suggestions include having a more visible presence of the police on the road, banning minibuses and reintroducing larger buses. The assumption is that there is a serious problem with road deaths and drastic actions needs to be taken. No one has questioned whether indeed there is a problem with road accidents and road deaths. Earlier this month, the President, in urging road users to adhere to the 5 Cs of road safety, observed that 114 road deaths had occurred in 97 road accidents this year. This is less than two deaths per fatal accident which does not suggest a general pattern of insane use of the roads by motorists. There, however, have horrific accidents resulting in multiples deaths, such as the one a few days ago in Mahaicony which took five lives. One motorcyclist also died last week following a collision between two motor cycles. The first assessment, therefore, which should be
made is whether there has been an appreciable increase in road deaths. In 2018, there were 92 road deaths from 79 road accidents. The data suggest a steep spike in road accidents for this year but the numbers have been inflated by the large number of fatalities in November and December. The comparative data suggest that road accidents for this year are not above the annual average of the past ten years. Two years ago, it was reported that an average of 128 persons were killed each year on the country’s roads. Despite the large number of road fatalities in November and December 2019, this year’s road deaths have not eclipsed the annual average of the past ten years. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that there has been a serious increase in road deaths. Not when one considers all the factors including the growth of vehicular traffic over the past few years. It is not a nice thing to say but road deaths have never been totally eliminated in any country, including those with draconian traffic laws. What therefore has to be managed is the number of fatal accidents. Unfortunately, the type of data which needs to be collected are not being collected to inform a course of action.
Defence seeks paper committal for mason accused of killing Mocha taxi driver Attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman, who is representing the defendant in the case of Kwayana Fernandes, is asking for Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty to make a paper committal for his client. This is when the magistrate reads the statements of witnesses for a matter and decides on that reading that there is enough evidence to send the case to trial. Fernandes, a 48-year-old mason, is accused of killing a 34-year-old taxi-driver in Mocha Arcadia earlier this year. Fernandes hails from 475 Cemetery Road, Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on August 6, last, at Cemetery Road, Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Owayne Lynch. The defendant is arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts. The lawyer in his request told the court that he would like for a paper committal to the High Court for trial to be done based on the fact that
his client was attacked by the now dead Lynch and therefore the incident merely resulted from provocation. The magistrate then instructed the prosecution to seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on the request. The matter was adjourned to January 8, 2020.Fernandes remains on remand until that time. According to information, on the day in question, the taxi driver of 3521 Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown was plying his trade when he was killed. Enquiries disclosed that the victim who is the driver of motorcar PRR 3313, a black Toyota IST and attached to the Swift Cab located at Lot 6 Dennis Street, Turkeyen, Sophia was dispatched around 20:31 hrs to pick up a client destined to Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara. However, about 21:45 hrs, the victim was seen lying motionless on Cemetery Road Mocha Arcadia, in a pool of blood with multiple wounds about his body. An ice-pick was allegedly found at the scene.
Raw and crude data about the number of road fatalities and the number of fatal accidents do not form a proper basis for developing road safety polices. In fact, such raw and crude data can be extremely misleading. If one goes right back to the old data on road fatalities, there is evidence that pedestrians are just as high-risk as passengers and drivers of motor vehicles. When the authorities therefore make releases about the total number of road accidents, they should ensure that they disaggregate the number of pedestrians
killed. Road safety measures therefore cannot focus only on vehicle but also on pedestrians including children wandering on the road and drunker cyclists straying into the path of moving vehicles on public roads. Policies and solutions must be data-driven not blame-driven. Guyanese love to ascribe causes and blame without substantiating data. Road safety has to begin with the collection of data that are comprehensive and in line with the sort of data which is called in other countries, in-
cluding property damage and insurance compensation. The data quality on road accidents is poor. The data which are available would leave little doubt however, that police traffic campaigns have done little to improve road safety. And asking the police to step up their monitoring of the traffic laws is bound to be another useless and failed exercise. That strategy has been tried numerous times before and has failed. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is an exercise in futility. Neither data nor the exper-
tise exists locally to develop an effective road safety strategy. And the faster the government realizes this, the quicker it will end the blindman’s buff which is being undertaken by the police under the pretext of traffic campaigns. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
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Friday December 20, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
GECOM and US Embassy choose IRI: Really! GECOM’s application for assistance to the US Government channeled through the US Embassy here has resulted in the International Republican Institute (IR1) being chosen as the consulting firm to GECOM. Really! Google anything you want to learn about anything and you will find it. Google the IRI and you will find countless controversies about it involving formidable accusations of engendering coups in Third World countries and providing strategic advice to very conservative governments. There are four superpower players in the world – USA, China, EU and more weakened version of a superpower, Russia. In a world of Thucydidian struggle for power, each international player is going to choose friends for geo-political, geostrategic reasons and justify the relationship. The IRI justifies its consultancies to autocratic regimes based on the analysis that its work
is to help the birth and growth of democracy. Interestingly, the two totalitarian superpowers –China and Russia - do not use the word “democratic” in their foreign policy marauding; the US and EU do. But do their criteria fit the model of democracy? The most graphic juxtaposition in the world for decades would be Saudi Arabia and Cuba. Saudi Arabia is a nightmare state; Saudi Arabia is a rogue state; Saudi Arabia is an unmodern, undemocratic, frightening state with a twisted, demented monarchy. Cuba on the other hand certainly does not meet the criteria of democracy. It is not an open, free state. But successive US and EU governments have close relations with Saudi Arabia and hardly any with Cuba (except a handful of EU countries and Canada). In the US and the EU you can lose your job in both the private and public sectors by
just a half word that insults homosexuality. In Saudi Arabia, you can go to jail for being homosexual. In Saudi Arabia, women are not only treated as second-class citizens but the law recognizes them as such. In Cuba that would be unthinkable. So who is democratic and who is not? No doubt the US government chose the IRI because its mission statement is to help democracy in the world. Founded by President Ronald Reagan (a racist president), the IRI is closely aligned with the Republican Party. It is the opinion of this columnist that some of the most dangerous politicians in the entire world are Republican lawmakers that sit in the US House of Representatives and the Senate. You have to look very hard to find men and women in any legislature around the world that are so war-prone and so insensitive to race insults. The Republican Party
consists of a substantial number of right-wing extremists who are unfit to be part of an enduring democratic state like the USA. And what about attitudes to non-white races? If in Russia, Serbia, Croatia, Poland, non-white people are ridiculed by the rulers there, though unacceptable, there are sociological explanations for such mental depravities. Russia has never had even a momentary rendezvous with democratic systems. The rule of law, a free press, competing poles of power, acceptance of different ways of life are phenomena the Russian people never had a fleeting experience with. How do you explain the racist attitudes of top politicians in an enduring democratic nation like the US? One could be wrong about the IRI presence in Guyana. It can come and offer professional help to GECOM. But should one be oblivious to its “questionable” work in so many other
countries? My preference would have been for a non-political consultancy that has no political connections whatsoever. I guess the decision is already made; GECOM will now have a strong IRI contingent working with it. What needs to be done is for the Opposition Commissioners of GECOM, the opposition parties and civil society to closely monitor the activities of IRI personnel in GECOM and the wider society. The media should take note of the background of the IRI and pursue its investigative tasks though I wouldn’t have much optimism about that. I don’t want to name names because I am not interested in that direction but Guyana’s journalism is poor and I don’t see any improvement in the near future. The role of the media is to inform the society about what takes place right in their midst. Guyana’s media is not even
Frederick Kissoon halfway there. This columnist can name more than a dozen stories that need investigating and that in any country the media would be like flies on ointment, but not Guyana. The IRI has a controversial profile. It is now in Guyana working with an institution that is vital to the preservation of democracy – the sacred, incontrovertible right to vote. The media should keep an eye on the IRI. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Dem boys seh...
Blame de bank fuh everything A man go to court to testify as an expert on behalf of anodda man who SOCU got busy fuh spending money that people pay to buy and sell rice. Is nuff money because before all de fuss some of de money did build a home fuh people who live pun de streets. And that is anodda story. Most of de people who live pun de streets does deh in GT. When Jagdeo tek de rice money to build de place fuh de pavement dwellers he mek sure he build it far from town. He build it till pun West Coast Berbice. Dem boys seh nobody must underestimate people. If de idea was to keep dem pavement dwellers out of de city, dem had to think again. De people wakeup in de home and promptly walk back. Anyhow this expert tun up. De magistrate ask him to provide he certificates. He bring a paper to show how he is a member of de club. Then he tek out a duplicate of de certificate. De magistrate seh she want de
original. Is then dem boys hear that de lady did ask fuh de certificate before. She even give de man two weeks when he been in court de last time because he didn’t have de certificate wid him. He tell de magistrate how he got it store in a safety deposit box in a bank. When de man tun up in court yesterday dem boys couldn’t believe is de bank get blame. De man claim how de bank had too much people and he couldn’t get in. He then claim that he was busy some days and he forget to go to de bank. But is not like he was going to draw money. Indeed Republic Bank got serious problems. And as dem boys know, give a dog a bad name and blame it fuh everything. That is how de man blame de bank. Dem boys intend to clear de way fuh he go and get he certificate, if it really deh in de bank. Talk half and know is de bank fault.
Friday December 20, 2019
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Chief Magistrate deems Leslie Veersammy incompetent to lead evidence as an expert - Fails to provide originals of certificates
Peter Ramcharran After given two weeks to provide the court with the certification of his profession, Leslie Veersammy, a co-manager of Nizam Ali and Company, yesterday failed to do so. This resulted in Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan deeming him incompetent to testify as an expert in the case of Former Accountant of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Peter Ramcharran. Ramcharran is to lead a defence in one of his trials. This is in relation to the five charges made out against him for the falsification of accounts. The defendant had opted to call two witnesses in his defence, Leslie Ve e r s a m m y a n d N i g e l H i n d s . Tw o w e e k s a g o Ve e r s a m m y s t a r t e d h i s testimony by mentioning his qualifications as an accountant. H o w e v e r, the magistrate stopped his testimony as she requested to see the original certificates of these qualifications so that she can be satisfied that he is an expert to testify in the matter. The case was then adjourned to provide the defence with enough time to gather this information for the court. According to the magistrate she was even prepared to take the certificates if there were in picture frames. Yesterday, Veersammy brought two documents to the court; he brought the membership certificate for the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants and a practising certificate. According to the witness, he was unable to bring his original certificates to the court as they are secured in a safety deposit box in a bank and he was so caught up over the past two weeks that he was unable to retrieve same. But this did not sit well with Chief Magistrate
McLennan. “The court is not satisfied that [Veersammy] is a Chartered Accountant because the court was not presented with such a certificate. There must be a foundation to show the basis on which you received a certificate to practice.” She added, “Based on the documents presented, the court is not satisfied that he is competent as an expert.” Nevertheless, the magistrate decided that she will take the evidence of the witness but in his testimony to the court he cannot speak as an expert because the court was not satisfied to that extent. During Veersammy’s testimony, the defence wanted to tender certain financial statements which also contained the auditor’s opinion of the said statements. These were the financial statements for GRDB between the years 2011 and 2015. Objections made by Special Prosecutor Patrice Henry, for these documents to be tendered, included the fact that audits presented for GRDB between the years 2011 and 2014 are not relevant as the present charge being addressed is specifically for 2015. He further objected under the Corporate Act that only the corporate secretary of a company should be the one to testify on behalf of the firm that is Nizam Ali and Company. M o r e o v e r, after perusing the documents presented the magistrate ruled that based on the role Veersammy plays as the management of that company, she is satisfied with the 2015 document being tendered as an exhibit to form part of the defence’s case. But she rejected the other documents citing that they are not relevant to the charge in question. At that point of the hearing, the matter was adjourned to December 23,
next for continuation of Veersammy’s testimony. The 39-year-old defendant is being represented by attorneyat-law, Sase Gunraj, while Special Prosecutor Henry, who is working for the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), is representing the state in this matter Ramcharran is facing 39 charges of fraudulent conversion and misappropriation, which allegedly took place between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015. He had pleaded not guilty to all the charges which involved tens of millions of dollars. The total is said to be over $400M. There are 17 charges of keeping fraudulent accounts, 16 for fraudulent appropriation and five for the falsification of accounts. The trial for the falsification of accounts is before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Magistrate McLennan recently ruled that there was sufficient evidence against the defendant in relation to the five charges and as such he is to lead a defence in the case. Ramcharran, of 32 Area ‘G’ Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was brought before the court after eluding the hearings for almost two years while in Canada. Ramcharran had first applied for refugee status. After he was turned down in December, he sought a review of his extradition process but this, too, was turned down. In 2017, the Chief Magistrate issued an arrest warrant for him. The GRDB found itself in the spotlight after a forensic audit of that entity revealed a number of “anomalies”, such as loans without proper paperwork or promissory notes.
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Guyanese Professionals must drive local Oil & Gas debate …but govt., operators should provide all available information - Anthony Paul By Gary Eleazar P r o f e s s i o n a l organizations such as the Institute of Professional Chartered Accountants, and the Guyana Bar Association needs to take a proactive approach to shape the national conversation with regards Guyana’s destiny in the context of an oil and gas economy. This is according to Local Content expert, Dr. Anthony Paul, who shared that this “national conversation is lacking.” He was adamant the Guyanese populace cannot wait on Government to come up with transformational plans. Institutions such as the University of Guyana can play a key role in providing the necessary information needed in the public domain for long term strategic planning. He noted, too, that there should be a greater demand on the part of the citizenry for access to the available
information such as in the Field Development Plans. These types of information, he said, would be critical for the Guyanese populace which would then be in a better position to make economic decisions based on what is feasible. He used, as example, the fact that just the first three oil field developments (Liza I & II and Payara) will all require a number of supporting vessels. Dr. Paul noted that there isn’t any visible conversation in the public domain about Guyanese ownership of more vessels that provide logistic support to the offshore operations and pointed to opportunities existing such as transportation and other services. According to Paul, it is the citizenry that should be leading the process in terms of coming up with national long term strategies and that these conversations should or could be led by the ICA. He told this publication
that already Guyana is projected to be spending some US$10B for the development of just the first two fields and noted that these represent not just short term spending but also long term commitments. He used as an example, the need for long term contracts for the supply vessels and suggested that with such contracts in hands Guyanese companies can in fact tap into the e x p e n d i t u r e used for developing the field. This, he said, would mean more or the investment capital being pumped into the development being retained in country versus the overseas suppliers that currently services the industry. The local content expert said that the vast plethora of information already in the public space needs to be consolidated and analysed by the local professionals such as those in the accounting, economic and
legal fraternity in order to Guyanese and the Guyanese private sector with the required information in relation investment possibilities. He said that it is the access to and proper analyzing of the data available on the industry that will drive long term decisions and strategies that can be implemented both in the private and public spheres in order to meet the long term development goals. Dr. Paul used the occasion to reiterate, however, that “much like the Guyanese coat of arms which speaks to one people, one nation with one destiny, Guyanese must decide firstly what that destiny is, and how to get there.”
Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul According to Paul, it is imperative that the domestic professional community lead that conversation that is
critical to the future development of the country and its success as an oil and gas producing nation.
Three held for East Canje supermarket heist - Crime Chief says victim still to give cops statement Police have detained two suspects in connection with last Saturday’s brazen robbery at Chennick and Sons Supermarket. The attack was carried out by six gunmen who made off with a safe containing cash. But Acting Crime Chief Michael Kingston said that he is concerned that the owner of the premises is still to give investigators a statement. “We are questioning three persons ( b u t ) t h e victim has not given us a s t a t e m e n t … I t ’s a b i t worrying,” the acting Crime Chief said. And other than being told that the stolen safe contained “a substantial sum of cash,” Kingston said that the victim has not stated how much money the bandits made off with.
Chennick Moses, the 47-year old owner, was standing in the supermarket around 20.30 h r s o n S a t u r d a y, w h e n some of the gunmen exited a white car and ran to him. Moses reportedly drew his firearm, but the bandits grabbed the handgun. One of the men struck Moses on the head. At least two of the men reportedly ran to the kitchen located at the back of the supermarket and went directly to a chest where Moses kept his money. Police sources said that the bandits went directly to the money chest and also took the keys for the chest. They relieved Moses of his gold chain, gold ring, and .32 pistol. It is alleged that while
the robbery was taking place, one of the gunmen who was standing guard, thought a police vehicle was approaching and discharged several rounds. S h o r t l y a f t e r, h i s accomplices ran outside with the money chest and t h e k e y s t o M o s e s ’s Verossa number PSS 1113. They then drove off in the direction of New Forest, Canje. Police located the businessman’s Verossa a few villages away. They indicated that the men may have escaped by boat up the Canje Creek. Fifteen spent shells and four live rounds were recovered. Moses was treated for his head injury but was not hospitalsed. Moses’s supermarket has been the victim of at least two previous robberies.
Porter allegedly breaks into woman’s home to steal Christmas outfit A porter was on Wednesday remanded to prison after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a break and entering charge, which alleged that he stole $359,500, worth of items from a woman’s home. Tajepaul Narine, 26, a porter, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, when the charge was read to him he denied it. The charge stated that on December 10, 2019, at Laing Avenue, Charlestown, Georgetown, he broke and
entered the dwelling house of Norma Pilgrim. The charge alleged that the defendant stole a television valued at $290,000, two cell phones valued at $48,000, a haversack valued at $5,000, a belt valued $3,000, a pants valued $2,500, a hat valued $2,500, and a roll of plastic wrap valued $8,000. According to information received, on the day in question the woman secured her home around 12:00hrs and left to do some Christmas shopping. When the woman returned home around 17:00 hrs she noticed her front door
was open. Upon making further checks she discovered the items mentioned in the charge were missing. The matter was reported and an investigation was launched. The defendant was subsequently arrested and charged for the offence. The court was informed by the prosecutor that the defendant was before the court last year after he was charged for a similar offence. The Magistrate then remanded the defendant to prison and the matter was adjourned to January 13, 2020.
Friday December 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
Dr. Bynoe’s justification of oil sale in favour of companies not country - Jagdeo Former President and People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, is of the view that Energy Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe’s stance on a series of issues within the oil sector is in favour of oil companies and not Guyana. During a press conference yesterday, Jagdeo highlighted a number of actions made by the Department of Energy that does not support the welfare of Guyana’s Oil industry. Dr. Bynoe had provided a justification for the decision to engage a selected group of companies for face-to-face bidding on Guyana’s oil. According to Jagdeo, the Government is without right to engage in what he called a “secret process.” The opposition leader said that if elected, the party intends to sell Guyana’s oil through an “open public tendering” process. Alluding to a Bloomberg article that announced the
Government’s face-to-face bidding process, he said that such a process limits the amount of tenders received and leaves room for enormous amounts of corruption. The opposition leader asserted that Guyana’s share of crude should be sold by ExxonMobil. “They are a publiclytraded company. They can’t tamper with the price and we can verify the price that they receive for their crude.” Jagdeo asserted. A few weeks ago, Bloomberg had informed Guyanese and the rest of the world that the Government of Guyana was taking an “unusual” approach for the sale of its share of the Stabroek Block oil. Jagdeo also warned that companies who enter into arrangements with the present government under the “face-to-face” bidding system for the purchase of oil, would be excluded from future public tenders, should his party secure a victory in the upcoming General and Regional Elections.
He emphasized that it is within the government’s right to blacklist companies who knowingly participate in corruption. Jagdeo further spoke on the government’s decision that oil companies will face no penalties if they are found to overstate recoverable costs. “In any situation, there should be a penalty as a deterrent. But, (Bynoe) says they will pay no penalty. I wonder if he works for us or the companies.” he is quoted as saying. Dr. Bynoe had previously stated that the Energy Department would simply refuse to pay overstatements, and that that would be the only action taken by Government to correct any misstatements when asked what actions would be taken if ExxonMobil overstates any of the costs included in the $10B it intends to recover for developmental works on the Stabroek Block’s Liza-1 and Liza-2 projects.
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Brazilian authorities nab Guyanese woman with coke stashed in underwear
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o c a l authorities are cooperating with Brazilian law enforcement officers after the arrest of a woman. According to officials, the woman, 29, left Lethem, Region Nine on December 12, last. She was arrested at the airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with nearly three kilograms of suspected cocaine. It was disclosed that the coke was found stashed in a quantity of b o d y - s h a p i n g undergarments. The clothing was still in plastic packages. The woman was arrested on December 17.
Taxi driver remanded to jail on narcotics charge ‌ Female friend and her household released
A
taxi driver who allegedly had a quantity of narcotics stuffed in the panel of the trunk of his car has been remanded to jail. The man, Jamal Arjune, 28, of Lot 16 Mount Sinai, We s t C a n j e , B e r b i c e appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Blairmont Magistrate Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. He was charged with being in possession of 5,036 grams of marijuana. He was remanded to jail until January 9th when the matter will continue in the Weldaad Magistrate's Court. According to the police, on December 10, last, the police were conducting a roadblock exercise on Weldaad Public Road, West Coast Berbice, when they stopped a white Toyota Allion motor car bearing registration HD 307 and
driven by Arjune. The vehicle had three other persons inside, including a woman who is a known drug dealer and a close friend of the driver; her 16-year-old son and her 18year-old daughter in law. A search was conducted on the occupants but nothing was found. The police further searched the vehicle in the presence of the occupants and five bulky transparent plastic bags containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis, was found in the trunk panel. The occupants were told of the findings, cautioned and arrested. The suspected cannabis was taken to Weldaad Police Station where it was tested and weighed and found to be some five kilograms. They all denied knowledge of the narcotics. Arjune was subsequently charged.
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Antigua elected to OAS External Board of Auditors Antigua and Barbuda’s Auditor-General, Dean Evanson, has been elected to the External Board of Auditors of the Organization of American States (OAS). Evanson was nominated and supported for the post by Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the OAS, Sir Ronald Sanders. The election took place on Wednesday by the Permanent Council of
the OAS. In welcoming Evanson’s election to the external auditing board of the 34-member hemispheric organisation, Ambassador Sanders said: “I welcome this election which demonstrates that small states have the right and the capacity to play a role in the accountability of international organisations. “The government of
Antigua and Barbuda, has been fighting for our rightful recognition and we will continue to do so”. The External Board of Auditors meets four times a year at OAS headquarters to review the audit of all aspects of the OAS and to give overall direction to the external auditors. Antigua and Barbuda is the only small state on the External Board of Auditors.
Duo charged for stealing cash, other items A speedboat operator and a taxi-driver we r e o n Wednesday hauled before the court after they were arrested and charged for stealing a sum of cash and other items from a man. The defendants, Hazel Khan, 55, a taxi-driver of B e l l e We s t , We s t B a n k Demerara; and Leslie Meracho, 48, a speedboat
operator of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, both appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty. Both denied the charge which alleged that on November 21, 2019, at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, they stole a haversack, a mechanic toolset, a torchlight, $500
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Digicel phone card and $300,000 in cash, property of Colwin White. Police prosecutor, Seon Blackman, made no objection to bail being granted to the defendants and Principal Magistrate McGusty grant the defendants bail in the sum of $75,000, each, and the matter was adjourned to January 13, 2020.
Canje man jailed for brutalizing father A man who brutalized his bed-ridden father and threatened to sodomise him has been jailed for 12 months on three charges. Jaikshun Mohabir, 26, of Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice was accused of assaulting and using abusive language to his 54-year-old father, Seuran Mohabir, called “Kennard” and “Giant”. The incidents occurred on September 23, and September 27, at their home at Lot 20 Betsy Ground East Canje, Berbice. The younger Mohabir appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh in the
R e l i a n c e M a g i s t r a t e ’s Court where he was found guilty on three charges. The case for the prosecution was that the accused lived with his fat h e r. H e w o u l d u s u a l l y ill-treat and beat his father. The man reported that his son would usually take his NIS money and drink and smoke and he would be left without food for days. His son would pull him off the bed, unto the floor and sometimes into the yard to a nearby dam. On September 23, last, Mohabit’s son beat him and threatened to sodomise him. During the
ill treatment neighbours noticed what was going on and called the police. Jaikshun was arrested and charged. However after he was released he returned home on September 27 and again illt r e a t e d h i s f a t h e r. H e also told the man he would kill him if he has to go to jail. He then pulled is father out of the house and on to a dam. The police were called again and the culprit was arrested and charged with assault and using abusive language. He was sentenced to four month in jail on each charge.
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Guyana signals much more to come in Stabroek Block Guyana has discovered a number of oil blocks, with 14 wells at the giant Stabroek block resulting in six billion barrels-plus of oil equivalent and having an additional two at the smaller adjacent Orinduik. “You have a lot. Thats the most important takeaway and I think the discoveries to date have substantiated that. “There is every reason to expect that you would continue to have exploration successes in this particular area,” Geoscientist, Management Consultant; Mr. Williams Heins of GTech, a UK based firm said. He further stated that Guyanas Stabroek block has a boatload of hydrocarbons. With that, according to Guyana consultancy firm, the discoveries made off the coast to date signal more successful explorations to come. Hydrocarbons are a primary energy source for current civilizations. The pre-
dominant use of hydrocarbons is as a combustible fuel source; in its solid form it can take the form of asphalt or bitumen, used to sealed roads, what some considers as tar. Yearly a total of 400 million tons of asphalt is demanded costing approximately US$30B. Oil refineries are one way hydrocarbons are processed for use. The crude is processed in several stages to form the desired hydrocarbons, used as fuels and in other products. The hydrocarbon is very light, storable, energy-dense, and produces no direct emissions of pollutants or greenhouse gases. But for hydrogen to make a significant contribution to clean energy transitions, it needs to be adopted in sectors where it is almost completely absent, such as transport, buildings and power generation. Supplying of hydrogen to industrial users is now a major business around the
world. Demand for hydrogen has grown extensively and continues to rise, almost entirely supplied from fossil fuels, with 6% of global natural gas and 2% of global coal going to hydrogen production.The use of hydrogen today is dominated by industry, namely; oil refining, ammonia production, methanol production and steel production. ExxonMobil operating at the Stabroek block is pursuing multiple drills set to target a 6.6 million acres block in search of more crude. The Liza Phase 2 has already been approved which targets a potential start up by 2022, while the third development at the Payara field could begin producing oil by 2023. Other companies; Tullow Oil, CGX Energy and Repsol are also rooting for oil in ongoing and upcoming campaigns over the coming months at the pother blocks off the Guyana Coast.
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett says $250 million will be used to ensure the start of the highly anticipated tourism workers’ pension scheme next month.The ministry said this forms part of the government’s effort to seed the fund to meet the deadline of a January 2020 start date for the pension scheme.Bartlett made the announcement at a pension sensitisation session with hotel workers at Royalton Negril Wednesday. “We are well on our way
to implementing the pension scheme and currently the board of trustees is in the process of procuring a fund manager and fund administrator. As soon as the fund manager has been appointed, 250 million will be disbursed to seed the fund so that if workers have contributed for only five years and reach their retirement age of 65 they will get a guaranteed minimum pension,” he said.The ministry said it has been carrying out pension sensitisation sessions across the island to update tourism workers on
the next steps of the pension scheme.According to the ministry, over 400 workers attended the session at the Royalton Hotel and approximately 100 workers attended the session at the RIU Hotel, both in Negril.The tourism workers’ pension scheme is designed to cover all workers ages 18-59 years in the tourism sector, whether permanent, contract or self-employed, the ministry said. It further noted that this includes hotel workers as well as persons employed in other tourism subsectors such as craft vendors, tour operators, red cap porters, contract carriage operators and workers at attractions.
$250M to start tourism workers’ pension fund
Friday December 20, 2019
Judge orders Gaming Authority to process Casino License for SleepIn Hotel SleepIn International Hotel and Casino
Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln has granted a Writ of Mandamus compelling the Guyana Gaming Authority (GGA) to consider processing and determine an application for a Casino License for SleepIn International Hotel on or before February 8, 2020. Earlier this year, SleepIn International Hotel went to court seeking an order for the GGA to process, consider and to determine its application made on April 5, 2017 for a Casino Premises and Casino Operators Licence with all convenient speed. The hotel by way of a Fixed Date Application (FDA) says that it is a three-star hotel offering luxury accommodation with operations at Lot 288-289 Church Street, Georgetown. SleepIn International Hotel and Casino said that on February 4, 2015, it entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) whereby the Government overtook, subject to the approval of the President, to facilitate according to the laws of Guyana, a Casino Operators Licence and Casino Premises Licences to it, provided that it constructs a minimum of 155 rooms at its hotel.Pursuant to the arrangement, apart from constructing the rooms, the hotel stated that it also constructed two conference halls, a business centre, a pool, a gym, restaurants and a casino offering
slot machines, live gaming machines and live entertainment at its hotel. On August 2, 2016, the hotel made an application to the GGA for its Casino Operators and Casino Premises Licenses, and also paid $9M as an application fee. The hotel stated that on November 3, 2016, it received a letter from the GGA informing that the companys application for the licences had been refused. It added that on or about April 5, 2017, it made new applications for the licenses and specifically addressed the alleged deficiencies that were identified by the GGA in its later dated November 3, 2016.According to the company, with its new application, it was required to pay another processing fee of $9 M as required under the Gambling Prevention (Establishment of Gaming Authority) Regulations. GGA, the hotel said, wrote to it on August 3, 2017 informing that the companys application was under “under active consideration” and requested that additional documents be submitted to aid in the process.Among other things, Attorney Anil Nandlall, representing the hotel, argued that to date, despite the passage of over one and a half years since the submission of all of the requisite documents and materials, the hotel has not been granted a Casino Operators Licence or a Casino Premises Licence. In the consequence of the delay, Nandlall wrote to the GGAs Chairman, Roysdale Forde, enquiring of the rea-
son for the delay. The FDA pointed out that Forde informed the lawyer that the GGA is awaiting the completion of certain investigations being conducted by the Guyana Police Force in respect of the hotel and its principals. But Nandlall said that neither the hotel nor its principals has ever been contacted by the police in relation to any investigation being conducted on its operations. To clarify the issue, the hotel said that its lawyer wrote to the Commissioner of Police, Crime Chief, Commander of A Division, the Minister of the National Security and the Chief Executive Officer of the GGA inquiring about the investigations. To date, there has been no response to the letter, the FDA points out. The hotel says that its agents had made numerous visits to GGA to inquire of the status of the application, but on each occasion staffers were unable to offer an explanation or a status report on the applications. Nandlall contends that the GGA has a duty to issue the licenses to successful applicants in accordance with Section 29 of the Gambling Prevention Act, Chapter 9:02. In the circumstances, the lawyer maintained that the delay of more than one and a half years since the submission of all of the requisite documents and materials by the hotel to accompany its applications for a Casino Operators Licence and a Casino Premises Licence was unreasonable, as it had satisfied all the legal requirements to be issued with same.
Electoral Reform for Dominica The Dominica government says the former president of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Dennis Byron, has been named as the sole Commissioner to a National Commission on Electoral Reform here. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, addressing the ceremony where his 17-member Cabinet took their oaths of office on Tuesday night, said that the eminent Caribbean jurist had accepted the invitation to perform the role of sole Commissioner.“The Commonwealth of Dominica is humbled to have Sir Dennis give guidance to the process of electoral reform. The terms of reference of the Commission will be announced early in the new year, at which time a secretariat will also be established to support Sir Dennis’ work,’ Prime Minister Skerrit said. (CMC)
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Guyanas reaction to ExxonMobils “bullying” with contract sanctity
Petroleum Advisor and Local Content Expert Anthony Paul
Minister of Natural Resources Rafael Trotmon
Political Activist Ramon Gaskin
Attorney at Law Melinda Janki
General Secretary of PPP Bharrat Jagdeo
Attorney at law Chales Ramson
One commentator said that ExxonMobil has a dark history of bullying countries with “contract sanctity” especially when it comes to renegotiation. He even stated that this “Giant Oil Company” is willing to go “all out” in arbitration courts to penalize nations for dishonoring Contract Sanctity. But what is contract Sanctity? Sanctity of contracts is a general idea that once parties duly enter into a contract they must honour their obligations under the contract. A US Legal article states that if a party fails to honour “contract sanctity” then it must follow the “efficient breach theory”.
“The efficient breach theory” means that the party that wishes to breach a contract must pay significant damages. The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed by Guyana and ExxonMobils subsidiary, Esso Exploration Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has been criticized by many. This PSA has and still is being described as a onesided deal that only benefits Exxon. It was discovered by experts that the contract includes a low royalty standard, lacks ring fencing provisions and is riddled with gaping loopholes that allow for Guyana to lose billions of dollars.
Numerous commentators, who are not in favour of this deal, have called for a renegotiation of the “mind boggling” agreement. Even a few political parties that have recently sprung up in Guyana are now promising an immediate renegotiation of the PSA if elected in the upcoming elections. But the two main parties, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) and the Peoples Progressive party (PPP) appear to be reluctant. In a recent radio interview Minister of Natural resource Rafael Trotman admitted that his government has no one else to blame but itself for a “lopsided” deal Guyana signed on to.
When asked about his government aversions for a renegotiation of contract, he responded by saying that “context must be given and carefully digested”. He then said that a favourable agreement was made to keep ExxonMobil in Guyanas waters because of a treat from neighbouring Venezuela. The minister explained that Guyana “needed a big friend” because of its “limited military powers”. It seems as though Exxon took advantage of Guyanas situation in making a profitable deal for itself and instilled a “frightening” clause in the PSA to “bully” its leaders. This scary provision in the PSA states, “Except as may be expressly provided herein, the Government shall not amend, modify, rescind, terminate, declare invalid or unenforceable, require renegotiation of, compel replacement or substitution, or otherwise seek to avoid, alter, or limit this agreement without the prior written consent of contractor.” PPP General Secretary Jagdeo was recently bombarded with questions at recent press conferences about renegotiating oil contracts.
In his response he was positive in renegotiating other oil contracts but refuses to renegotiate that one contract with ExxonMobil that governs Guyana’s lucrative Stabroek Block. Attorney-at-law Charles Ramson, who is a firm member of the PPP, also said that he will not advice his party to renegotiate the Stabroek PSA because of “contract Sanctity”. However, he was strong on the renegotiation of the Orinduik PSA with Tullow. This has left Commentators baffled as to why the PPP is willing to renegotiate the Orinduik agreement but refuses to do so for the Stabroek PSA. On the other hand, there are a few Guyanese who are refusing to be bullied by Exxon. This optimistic few are led by Political Activist Ramon Gaskin who was able to convince his audience at a recent fair deal forum that the Stabroek PSA is riddled with illegalities. Gaskin was supported by environmentalist and Attorney-at law, Melinda Janki who said that even though Guyana may not be able renegotiate the contract, it can
be brought into conformity with the Law. One of the illegalities identified is the difference between the royalty provision of the PSA and that of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act. Another was that the operator of the Stabroek block EEGPL was granted more blocks than the law allows. After discussing the illegalities in the PSA Gaskin and his audience pledged to challenge Exxon’s illegal contract in court. They were motivated by the fact the law takes precedence over any contract signed. In support of the idea is Petroleum Advisor and Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul who iterated that no contract is bigger than the laws of any country. In Fact, a Thompson Reuters article stated that before drafting or entering a contract it is very important to note if it is legally enforceable.There is also a provision in the Stabroek PSA under article 27 which states, “This agreement shall be governed by, interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana”.
Elections, the Presidency, the future... From page 6 other crops. This is where competent experts are needed. Not one square inch of land should be left uncultivated. Due to the continuing evolution of the car industry from combustion to electric, we should also look to diversify our power source in Guyana to Hydro, solar and
even wind. Another issue with over-reliance on oil is that the price is subject to fluctuation, and this can adversely affect an undiversified economy, therefore it is critical we move our energy source to an alternative one as fast as possible. 4] The judicial system. Many people including politicians believe this system
favours the ruling government. Nothing is further from the truth. Our system is as close to free and fair as any developing countries around the world. Then we can always go to the CCJ for a final ruling on matters. To all Guyanese have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Anthony Kissoon
It would be a shame and downright disgrace… From page 4 Trinidadians are moving in and wasting no time to ‘get on top of things.’ The point here is not to engage in the blame game, but to emphasize the fact that our failure to draw up a consensual national development plan for the oil and gas industry lies squarely at the feet of the APNU+AFC. This national deficit can have widespread ramifications for us as a nation in the short, medium and long term. The debate currently taking place on oil and gas appears to be more balanced in favour of vested interests at home and abroad rather than those of the Guyanese
common man and woman. Compounding the imbalance is the fear that oil money can influence local politics and ultimately, the electoral process and perhaps, the outcome. These legitimate concerns over the Guyanese people’s welfare are not penetrating the information and misinformation blitzkrieg on oil and gas. Small wonder why there is so much cynicism and indifference amongst the populace about them benefiting anything at all. It is in this context that questions are being asked whether Guyana can reinvent itself with the people at the centre of development in light of the huge role the
oil and gas industry will play in Guyana’s future development. Sections of the media, save and except the Guyana Chronicle, have done a great job in sensitizing the nation about the good, the bad and the ugly of oil and gas industries around the world. There is certainly no shortage of information out there on the subject. The Guyana Chronicle has done an extremely poor job, save for the occasional bleating from the President and his Department of Energy who, rather than holding out hope for the poor and dispossessed, has done more harm than good. Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee
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Oil economy on radar as Guyana gears for next financial task force assessment FOR RENT 3 bedroom semi furnished apt @ Laluni St, Queenstown Georgetown, Parking, Hot water shower, 1 bedroom a/c, US$1200. Tel#624-0118 SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040
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As Guyana prepares to enter the fourth round of evaluation by the financial action task force, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, SC says Guyana’s oil and gas economy will be under the microscope. Williams made this disclosure at the opening of the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing National Risk Assessment (ML/TF NRA) seminar held at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. The purpose of the seminar was to commence Guyana’s second Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (ML/TF) National Risk Assessment (NRA). Ministers of Government, heads of private sector agencies, heads of government organisations, and members of the diplomatic corps were in
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Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams attendance. “With our oil regime looming, it is important that we ensure we are not blacklisted because the CFATF and FATF requirements to protect the international financial economy are very strict. “From 2015 to now, we haven’t had any, not one. And we have seen the evaluation of all the countries, and they all failed. But we haven’t had any and it is remarkable,” he said. According to the AG the third round of mutual evaluation saw the erection of the legal framework and the fourth round would test its effectiveness. He added that Guyana would have to pay attention to its investigation, prosecution and conviction rates for money laundering offences. Guyana comes up for the crucial evaluation in the first quarter of 2023, three years after the start of oil production locally. Already, the World Bank has pledged to support Guyana with technical assistance and guidance to conduct the National Risk Assessment, (NRA) in the Countering of Financial Terrorism. This will allow Guyana to identify any new or emerging money laundering or terrorist financing risks, threats or vulnerabilities.
The World Bank has developed a guide for countries conducting their ML/TF risk assessment. This guide is in the form of a methodological risk assessment tool. It is an Excel-based model that enables countries to identify the main drivers of their ML/TF risks. The tool will assist Guyana in conducting a selfassessment of the ML/TF risk and vulnerabilities locally. The new NRA will also take into account an assessment of the Money L a u n d e r i n g / Te r r o r i s t Financing risks associated with the oil and gas sector, proliferation financing, virtual assets and illegal wildlife trade. This exercise will allow the country to appropriately address its vulnerabilities and threats ahead of its scheduled mutual evaluation. Last July, the Ministry of Legal Affairs’ members of the AML/CFT National Coordination Committee met the visiting World Bank team and several other stakeholders involved in the AML/CFT regime in Guyana. The team provided technical assistance to conduct critical updates to Guyana’s multilateral taskforce (ML/TF) National Risk Assessment (NRA). It is necessary for Guyana to conduct another NRA to reassess new risk factors.
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Cops to be charged with abduction, felonious wounding of suspected burglar The two policemen who allegedly poured hot water on 17-year-old Ashkay Budhiram after snatching him from a betting shop are to face charges of abduction and felonious wounding today. They are scheduled to appear in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court. The ranks, who are brothers, allegedly abducted the La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara teen last Monday, from a betting shop in the area. They allegedly locked him in a car trunk, took him to their home, and doused him with hot water, while the teen was handcuffed. At a press conference on Tuesday, Commissioner of Police, Leslie James revealed that the detained ranks are the sons of a senior police official. Commissioner James explained that the men’s home was broken into on December 12 and items were removed. They were said to have received word that the teen was somehow involved in the incident. He stated that the two officers, one stationed at
The burns Budhiram sustained on his back and face at the hands of the men Wales and the other from the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) picked up the teen from his home and transported him in a private vehicle to their house. Police sources stated that the teen was arrested last April on suspicion of robbery under arms, committed on another 17-year-old at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara. The victim was relieved of a cell phone. In late 2016, he was also
Two hospitalized after chain selling brawl Two ‘D’ Field Sophia residents are now patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after stabbing each other. The altercation stemmed from the sale of a stolen gold chain. Police have identified the men as 21-year-old Vernon Marks of Lot 233 ‘D’ Field, Sophia and 24-year-old Leon Smith of Lot 246 ‘D’ Field Sophia. The men are known to each other. Kaieteur News understands that on Monday around 22:30hrs Marks approached Smith to sell him a gold chain which was reportedly stolen from Smith’s sister about a week prior. However while trying to retrieve his sister‘s chain from Mark a fight ensued. Marks and Smith dealt each other several stabs about the body. Marks was armed with a knife, while Smith, with a pair of scissors. Both patients are said to be in a critical condition at the city hospital. When contacted, a police source told this publication that the men are no strangers to the prison and on countless occasions have been placed before the court for being in position of stolen articles. According to the source, both men are considered chain snatchers in the neighbourhood. Initial investigations have revealed that Smith’s sister had
reported to him that she was robbed of her gold chain by two masked men. It is alleged that Marks showed Smith the chain and asked him to find a good buyer since he is known to have good customers. Upon realizing that the chain bore his sister’s initials, Marks asked Smith to hand over the item. However Marks refused and a scuffle started between the two. The matter is being investigated.
arrested, but again not charged, for break and larceny at a Westminster, West Bank Demerara house. Articles valued at over $1M were stolen. Budhiram’s mother, Sabrina Lutch, had said that she received a call around 14.00 hrs on Monday from her daughter, who said that police had beaten and burned the teen. According to her, when she arrived at her daughter’s home, she saw her son, sitting in handcuffs with burns about the body. Ashkay Budhiram told his mother he was picked up by eight men, two of whom were police ranks, and thrown in the trunk of a ‘silver’ car. He was then taken to a house, handcuffed to a bed and tortured for almost an hour. “He seh them had he handcuff and they tek a kettle and throw the hot water down he face and they keep asking he, weh de phone deh and some game and he seh he keep telling them that he ain’t know nothing but they continue to beat he.”
The men allegedly beat her son with a leather belt and when he screamed, they placed a towel in his mouth and continued to hit him, breaking a tooth. Afterwards, they allegedly placed the teen back in the trunk of the car and were transporting him to another location. However, the teen reportedly used a wire in the trunk to pick the lock and escape. “He seh when he roll out, them hear he but he run and jump a trench and hide in the bush till they go away. Then he run and go to he sister place.” The teen was taken for medical treatment and a report was made at the La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station. Sources close to the investigations revealed that the policemen admitted that they arrested the teen but denied torturing him. The brothers also denied that they had locked Budhiram in a car trunk. They reportedly claimed that he was sitting in the back of the car and escaped.
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A slice of Basil Butcher’s Grit mid-day.com - Before last weekend closed out, 17 international players, international umpire Dara Dotiwalla and reputed coach Ramakant Achrekar had retired to Elysian Fields this year. That was before former West Indian Basil Butcher, 86, bid goodbye on Monday, succumbing to a prolonged illness in Florida. Like his teammate Seymour Nurse, who passed away in May, Butcher was an integral part of the West Indies batting line-up even as Garfield Sobers and Rohan Kanhai spent a lot of time in the spotlight during the 1960s. Butcher represented West Indies in 44 Tests, scored 3104 runs at 43.11 and hit
seven centuries. His firstclass run tally reads an impressive 11,628. If Barbados is famous for its pace bowling power, Guyana produced the kind of batsmen who have contributed to West Indies cricket in no small measure — Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Roy Fredericks, Carl Hooper, Alvin Kallicharran, Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Joe Solomon. Three Guyanese batsmen were part of the Gerry Alexander-led West Indies team to India in 1958-59 — Butcher on his maiden tour, Kanhai and Solomon. Butcher made his Test debut at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. He struggled to cope with the leg-spin of Subhash
Gupte, who trapped him leg before wicket for 28 in the first innings but stayed unbeaten with 64 in the second opportunity. A secondinnings 60 in the next Test at Kanpur was followed by hundreds in consecutive innings across the Kolkata and Chennai Tests. He ended the series with 71 at New Delhi. Nari Contractor, who figured in that series, told me on Tuesday that Butcher was a very fine sweep shot player and tackled leg-spin well while scoring 486 runs in the series. India 1958-59 was not the last time Butcher constructed two hundred in a series. He did so in Australia 1968-69 as well, but that was a very
Friday December 20, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) One day, I want to be…. When you were little, how did you finish that sentence, Aries? See what your memory and imagination come up with. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) If you feel cautious today, Taurus, don't be alarmed. This can be a good thing, Taurus, as you can be too trusting at times or forget to take care when going into something new. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Gemini, personal dignity may be important to you today. This may come about when things go wrong or if you're accused of something you didn't do. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't be surprised if someone describes you as conservative, Cancer. It may be true. It could indicate that it's important for you to maintain control over most things LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your mother may be on your mind today, Leo. Your mother probably affects how you think, act, and feel, both in the past and now. If your mother's sign is opposite yours, conflict and misunderstanding can happen more easily. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Focus on yourself today, Virgo. Take note of your health. You probably know that this is something you must take care of always, not just sometimes. Daily routines are important. It's up to you to stick to them.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) No dream is too big or too late to fulfill. You may be thinking about your special dreams today. Perhaps you aspire to do something really great, be a pioneer in some field, or be a prominent figure. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Chances are good that you will receive a helping hand or comfort from someone many years your senior who cares about you. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today, Sagittarius, you may think about competition and possible future goals. Imagining and dreaming can serve you well. What did you dream about as a kid? CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may think about your finances today, Capricorn. It's never too late to learn about saving and investing, especially if there's something you really want to do, like travel. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Take the time today to consider your health, Aquarius. Do you get enough rest, eat the right foods, take vitamins, exercise every day, go to the doctor when you need to, and take time to relax? PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you may emphasize organizing things and managing your life. Take a look at your time management. It's possible to plan every day so you have enough time to do what you have to get done as well as do everything you'd like to do.
forgettable tour which was lost due to some brilliant cricket from Australia, reported team disharmony and plenty of dropped catches. His second and last Test visit to India was in 1966-67 and after a successful English summer, he was naturally expected to be one of the stars of the tour. “A Butcher for whom any bowling is easy meat is Basil,” said one of the tour brochures for that India series. Sure, he could tear apart bowling attacks with his wristy stroke play, but he could also play grind it out. Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t get past 35 in the three-Test series. Coping with personal issues is some sort of a litmus test for a player on tour, many miles away from home and Butcher’s example, revealed to me by West Indian radio commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira must be highlighted and hailed. “Basil was padded up to bat at No. 4 at Lord’s 1963. The West Indies were in early trouble and just before Basil walked out to bat, he was handed a telegram by his manager Berkeley Gaskin. Basil opened it, only to discover that it was a message from his wife who delivered the news of her miscarriage,” Perreira said on Tuesday. Another version of this story says it was a letter, but Perreira insisted it was a telegram since Butcher spoke to him about it later on. The grieving Butcher batted for more than four hours to score 133 out his side’s total of 229; skipper Frank Worrell being the second-highest scorer with 33. It was a dramatic Test with England needing eight to win off the last over. The ninthwicket pair of David Allen and Derek Shackleton was broken with Shackleton getting run out off the fourth ball. The last man to walk in was an accomplished batsman — Colin Cowdrey — but it was with a plastered left arm courtesy a Wes Hall delivery in the first innings. Cowdrey had been practising batting with one hand in the dressing room, but he was not needed at the striker’s end as Allen negotiated the Hall threat in the last two balls to draw the Test. Celebrated writer Ian Wooldridge wrote in Cricket, Lovely Cricket that the Test, “produced neither victor nor vanquished.” Doubtless, Cowdrey gave courage a great name, but the real hero was Butcher and of course Fred Trueman too for his 11 wickets in the match. Perreira, who was at the
Basil Butcher turns one on the leg side against Rest of the World during the Rothmans series at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Wicketkeeper Deryck Murray was his West Indies teammate on the 1963 tour of England. Getty Images Test as a spectator, reminded me that Hall bowled 40 overs in the second innings unchanged. Butcher’s 133 at Lord’s in 1963 didn’t eventuate in a West Indies victory, but his highest score of 209 not out against the Englishmen at Nottingham in 1966 did. Kanhai and he were booed by the crowd for not scoring swiftly, but there was a Test match to be won and skipper Sobers’s strategy was vindicated with a 139-run triumph. Butcher was a useful leg spinner and took five firstinnings wickets against England at Trinidad in 1968 to help Sobers revive a boring Test match. England were set 215 to win and they did it with three minutes and seven wickets to spare. Butcher could not repeat his first-innings bowling heroics and went
wicketless before which Sobers was roasted in the media for his adventurous captaincy. Sobers said in his autobiography that Butcher was an under-rated player for all his fine qualities as a cricketer. And Perreira, who felt his hundred at Lord’s in 1963 was the finest exhibition of batting in the 200 odd Tests witnessed by him, deserves to have a stand named after him at the new Providence Stadium in Guyana, an honour which also should be bestowed on other greats from that region. “Basil was a good bloke and a happy chatter,” said Perreira. He was also the kind of player his peers loved talking about. Hopefully, Basil Fitzherbert Butcher is the last international cricketer to retire to that eternal pavilion for the year.
Friday December 20, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Barty and Nadal claim season-ending ITF awards FIFA Ranking: Belgium crowned Team of the Year, Qatar 2019’s biggest climber
Ashleigh Barty. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler Reuters - Ash Barty and Rafa Nadal were named International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) World Champions for 2019 yesterday, rewarding them for stellar seasons in which they finished at the top of women’s and men’s rankings respectively. Barty, who quit tennis to play cricket in 2014 before returning to the game in 2016, became the first Australian to win the French Open since
Margaret Court in 1973 when she beat Czech Marketa Vondrousova in June. The 23-year-old also became the first Australian woman to reach the WTA world number one ranking since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976. Barty also lifted the season-ending WTA Finals trophy and led Australia to their first Fed Cup final since 1993. “I’m honored to be named this year’s ITF World
Spain’s Rafael Nadal. REUTERS/Sergio Perez Champion,” she said in a statement. “I’m so proud of my team and I for what we have achieved and can’t wait for the 2020 season to begin.” Nadal claimed the seasonending ITF world title for the fourth time after sealing an historic 12th French Open and a fourth U.S. Open, as well as helping Spain to their sixth Davis Cup title. Yesterday, the Spaniard
was also voted by fellow players as the winner of ATP’s Stefan Edberg sportsmanship award for a second straight year and third time overall. Former world number one Andy Murray, who underwent hip surgery in January, was named ATP’s comeback player of the year after successfully returning to win the European Open title in October.
Karina LeBlanc: “We’re working as a Confederation to grow the women’s game”
Concacaf Head of Women’s Football Karina LeBlanc with participants and other officials Miami, Florida – Concacaf Head of Women’s Football Karina LeBlanc’s insatiable desire to grow women’s football in the region enjoyed another successful step forward last week in Barbados. LeBlanc was on hand at an event hosted by Concacaf W and Coaches Across Continents in which 150 girls who took part in footballing activities over the course of a day. By the end, it was clear to LeBlanc that the pilot program was a rousing success. “This was a pilot project to grow participation. Some of these girls had never even played football before, yet for many this went from them never having played football to being one of the best days of their lives. It all serves the purpose of helping these girls realize that through football they can become the best versions of themselves,” said LeBlanc in an exclusive
interview with Concacaf.com. Among the activities were a series of games and drills to help build soccer skills and learn about teamwork. “They got to do fun things like Mingle Mingle games, handshakes, but also learned things about movement and different body shapes. I think at the end, the overall sense from these girls was that they learned they are strong, they are powerful and that football is awesome,” said LeBlanc. LeBlanc is hopeful that last week’s pilot in Barbados can be expanded to other sites in the region. “Other countries want things like this. We want to do more of these. These girls leave wanting more. They say, ‘We love Concacaf W and we want more of this.’ We are working together as a Confederation, building from the Next Play foundation, to grow the women’s game,” said LeBlanc. While acknowledging the
complexities of serving 41 different Member Associations, LeBlanc stressed the importance of Concacaf paving the way to opportunities for all aspiring young women’s footballers in the region. “There are 41 different realities in Concacaf, so we have to understand as a Confederation how we can
impact that. It all starts with our strategic pillars of Growth, Development and Communication. We can show that football is fun, that there are opportunities in football to play for your country, get free education. With these girls, it is important that Concacaf is always showing up,” concluded LeBlanc.
Belgium are the FIFA Coca-Cola World Ranking’s ‘Team of the Year’ for the second successive time. Belgium are the FIFA/ Coca-Cola World Ranking’s ‘Team of the Year’ for the second successive time after a record-breaking year for the global ladder. The Red Devils hold on to top spot in a December table barely impacted by just 19 friendlies, but with 1082 international A matches – an all-time high since the Ranking’s 1993 inception – having already been played. World champions France and Brazil also remain in second and third, the positions they held in December 2018, but the makeup of the top five has changed, with England climbing one place to reach fourth and Uruguay moving up to fifth on the back of a two-spot rise. Argentina (9th) and Colombia (10th) have also entered the top ten at the expense of Switzerland (12th) and Denmark (16th), who slipped four and six places respectively over the course of the year. The Ranking’s ‘Mover of the Year’, meanwhile, is Qatar. The 2022 FIFA World Cup™ hosts gained an impressive 138 points over the course of a year in which they won the AFC Asian Cup and made a strong start to the Asian Zone World Cup qualifiers.
Besides accumulating the biggest points haul, Qatar also climbed a year-high 38 places, followed closely by fellow climbers Algeria (up 32 ranks) and Japan (up 22 ranks). Given the teams who have made most progress in 2019, it’s no surprise to find that the regional composition of the top 50 has changed over the year, with Europe’s dominance diminished. UEFA has lost three places in the top 50 compared to the end of 2018, and now has 28 teams, whereas Concacaf (4), AFC (4) and CAF (4) have all gained one spot apiece. But despite all the change witnessed over 2019, the year has ended on a quiet note, with only the most modest of movements due to the scarcity of fixtures since the Ranking’s November edition. Nonetheless, eight teams – Bahrain (99th, up 1), Bolivia (75th, up 1), Korea Republic (40th, up 1), Lesotho (139th, up 1), Solomon Islands (141st, up 1), South Africa (71st, up 1), St Kitts and Nevis (139th, up 1) and Suriname (141st, up 1) – have edged a single rung up the ladder, and will hope to continue that progress in 2020. The next FIFA/CocaCola World Ranking will be published on 20 February 2020.
Winger Winchester dies in car crash Port Of Spain, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago international Shahdon Winchester died here tragically early yesterday when the vehicle he was driving was involved in a collision. Media reports said the Nissan X-Trail driven by the 27-year-old Winchester crashed into a utility pole and burst into flames, killing all four occupants. The accident occurred along the Solomon Hochoy
Shahdon Winchester.
Highway in south Trinidad. His death was announced by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association, which offered its condolences. “Tragic and heartbreaking news just coming to hand,” the TTFA statement said. “Trinidad and Tobago forward Shahdon Winchester has been confirmed as one of the persons who have died in a vehicle accident this morning in Gasparillo. This is truly tragic news for us. May
his soul rest in eternal peace.” Winchester earned 23 caps and scored six goals for T&T after making his debut in 2010, and most recently turned out for the national side in an international friendly against Guyana two years ago. A winger, Winchester spent several seasons at domestic Pro League giants W Connection and also had spells in Finland, Mexico and Azerbaijan.
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GCB Annual Awards By Sean Devers - Tucber Park, Berbice fast bowling AllRounder Romario Shepherd was adjudged Cricketer of Year beating his West Indies teammates Berbician lefthanded batsman Shimron Hetmyer and Essequibo fast bowling All-Rounder Kemo Paul to the top spot for 2019 while Berbician batsman Shemaine Campbelle was named Female Cricketer of the Year when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) held its annual Awards Ceremony at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) pavilion on Wednesday night. The night began with GCB Secretary and CWI Director Anand Sanasie performing duties as Master of Ceremonies and Acting GCB President and Essequibo Cricket Board Head Fizul Bacchus reading the Administrative Report. Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sports, Dr. George Norton congratulated the Awardees and stated it was an achievement that Guyana is dominating four-day cricket in the West Indies, adding that it was good see Guyanese doing well in the West Indies team. President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association and VicePresident of CWI, Dr. Kishore Shallow delivered the feature address and told the gathering, which included several past and present West Indies players including West Indies Women’s Selector Travis Dowlin, that the CWI has adopted a policy of putting their players first and apologised to Shiv Chanderpaul for the way he was treated by the past
Kaieteur News
Romario Shepherd and Shemaine Campbell are male and female Cricketers of the Year
Dr. Kishore Shallow gives the feature address. administration. The 36-year-old Shallow, who previously served as a CWI Director, replaced Dominican Emmanuel Nathan at the last CWI elections, noted it is always difficult playing India home but was pleased to see the fight this team has showed in the ODI series as it strives to get back to the heights of Clive Lloyd’s team. Shallow praised the local franchise system and he felt that this was among the reasons Guyana is producing good young players and winning the four-day title for fifth consecutive time, this year whilst pondering on the good performances of Hetmyer, Paul, Shepherd and Nedd among others in the various West Indies teams. Shallow founded the SVG Young Professional Association and has given
Bartica and Essequibo bracing for potentially exciting shin digs... From page 38 teams as they competition for places in the quarter finals of this year’s championship warms up. At the Bartica Community Centre Ground from 20:30hrs, home team Rivers View will be welcoming City side Western Tigers. The home team has been going through the paces in order to be in the best possible shape since the Tigers will not be intimidated and, like the other clubs, are eyeing the top prize of Two Million Dollars. In the Cinderella County, in the village of Queenstown,
Friday December 20, 2019
home team Mainstay Gold Stars will hope to put in a golden display when they welcome the Guyana Defense Force. This format of football usually brings with it upsets but that has not been the case after the opening day of action on Sunday last at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary. Fans in both Bartica and Essequibo are expected to turn out in their numbers to lend support to their respective teams as they home to collectively contribute to turning back the challenge of the visiting teams. Kick off time in Essequibo is 21:00hrs.
service to various organisations in St Vincent
and the Grenadines. Cricket Journalist of the Year, Brandon Corlette give the vote of thanks on behalf of the Awardees while GCB’s PRO Andy Ramnarine provided the closing remarks. GCB Awards 2019 Shabika Gajnabi: Most Promising Female Cricketer of the Year Romario Shepherd: Most Improve Male Cricketer of the Year Ashmead Nedd: Junior Cricketer of the year Raymon Reifer: Senior Regional Cricketer of the year Mavindra Dindyal: Most Run in Regional Under-15 Isai Thorne: Most Wickets in Regional Under-15 Mavindra Dindyal: Most Valuable Player in Regional Under-15 Mathew Nandu: Most Run is Regional Under-17 Sheldon Charles: Most Wickets in Regional Under-17
Sheldon Charles: Most Valuable Player in Regional Under-17 Kelvon Anderson: Most Runs in Regional Under-19 Ashmead Nedd: Most Wickets in Regional Under-19 Kelvon Anderson: Most Valuable Player in Regional Under-19 Corporate Award Hand-in-Hand, Dave West Indian Imports, SBF Petroleum Special Service Award Ms. Elizabeth Sunich, Everest Cricket Club Grounds man - Deolall Rajkumar of the Enmore Community Centre ground: For his continued contribution to the development of cricket. Coach - Rayon Griffith: For his outstanding service as a cricket coach for the year. Print Media - Brandon Corlette: For his dedicated and outstanding service as a
cricket reporter in the field of print media. Premium Awards Romario Shepherd: Cricket of the Year Male Other nominees: Keemo Paul and Shimron Hetymer Shemaine Campbelle: Cricketer of the Year Female Other nominees: Sheneta Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi Lower Corentyne: Best Franchise Team of the year 2019 Other nominees: West Berbice and Essequibo Georgetown Cricket Club: Club of the year 2019 Other nominees: Albion Community Centre Ground and Rose hall Youth and Sports Club. Members of the 2019 the Guyana Jaguar Four Day Team and the Guyana Under15 Team also received awards for winning their receptive tournaments.
Fruta Conquerors v Buxton United; New Amsterdam United v Buxton Stars tonight at BV Gr.
GFF Super 16 Cup
Night two of the GFF Super 16 Cup 2019/2020 is set to unfold at the BV Ground, East Coast Demerara this evening from 18:30hrs when the home teams, Buxton United and Buxton Stars throws down the gauntlet to Fruta Conquerors and Berbice’ New Amsterdam United. When the final whistle is blown tonight after the feature match, two more teams would have walked the plank while the respective winners would have booked their places in the quarter finals set for Christmas Day. Fruta Conquerors would be putting all on the line in their match-up with Buxton Stars, a young and determined unit under the guidance of Head Coach and Guyana’s lone female tactician at the helm of a male team, Sheron Abrams. Efforts to get a comment from Abrams proved futile but it is expected that the young stars will put on a good showing against what will be a star studded Fruta Conquerors unit. The Buxton Stars team will come from Daylon Blair, Mortimer Hamer, Casey Parris, Dennis Fordyce, Toney Homer, Kenroy Green, Kester Hatton, Jumali Major, Neil Hutson, Karlos Cole, Kerwin Maxwell, Shemar Scott, Brandon Rodney, Teshawn Gordon, Omar Williamson, Shemar McPherson, Teon Stewart,
Cordell Thomas, Kareem Wills, Nevaldo Gulliver, Collis Hall. Inceford Charles, Eon Abel and Clevon Barnwell are the three guess players. Conquerors Head Coach Sampson Gilbert in an invited comment shared that when preparations commenced, the turnout was not 100% but as the days went by that changed. “The turnout was initially slow but we had some training games to bring about the enthusiasm and assess the chemistry of the team coming back from the layoff after the Elite League concluded. Now that the tournament has started we’re quite intense and consistent with training.” Gilbert, who has been the chief tactician for the Elite League champions, also noted that they would have encountered some challenges, like the other teams coming into this tournament; the inclement weather proving to be a major restraint to preparation, “But considering the conditions we’re used to compete at the Year End Tournament, we’re determined to do our utmost.” Buoyancy he declared, is optimum, “As the Elite League champions for the second year running, our confidence is certainly high but we’re mindful not to be complacent since we respect the level of competition and will not take any team for granted. We have no guest players since our club
consists of many talented young players who need exposure. Goalkeeper Akel Clarke who has been playing in Suriname last season, has returned to the club.” When asked if they are going for the double, Gilbert responded, “Fruta Conquerors FC will be competing in this tournament with the intention of being the first club to have won the League and the Year End Tournament in the same year. As League champions we’re confident and are determined to make amends for our mishap in the semi-finals last year.” Apart from Clarke, Conquerors boasts the likes of Eon Alleyne, Domini Garnett, Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Delon Lanferman, Threvon Pluck, Dennis Edwards, Nicholas McArthur, Ryan Hackett, Jahall Greaves, Anthony Benfield, Vurlon Mills and Solomon Austin among others. This evening’s main attraction between last year’s beaten finalists, Buxton United and New Amsterdam United also promises to be intense with the team from the East seeking to turn heads tonight. Head Coach of Buxton United, Herbert McPherson informed that the team has been going through the paces and like the others, have been affected by the rain but they have been persevering nonetheless. “While the weather has
been a setback for us, we have been making use of the good days, we have been doing lost of gym work and are confident this year that we will go all the way. Our fitness levels is getting where it ought to be and we are set and ready to show what we have.” The likes of National Under-20 player Omari Glasgow, Tyrice Dennis, Alden Lawrence, Troni Semple, Dillon Wright, Paul Kingston, Tyrone Harper, Jeremiah Thorne, Jamar Harrigan, Lindley Gardner, Toney Ogle, Deshane Garnett and Shemar Fraser would be combining efforts to deliver an opening win for their team. NA United Coach Lennox Adams disclosed that training did not go the way they wanted as the inclement weather did not permit. He noted that they always respect their opponents and always display confidence in whatever they do. New Amsterdam United’s lineup includes, Jamal Butts, Keon Williams, Leonardo Adams, Adrian Adams, Jason Drakes, Quinn Hazel, Joshua Wilson, Daniel Thomas, Egbert Simon, Tierrie Phillips, Nicholas Amsterdam, Dexter Welcome, Jamal McAlmont, Delroy Telford, Mishack Trellis, Joshua Butts, Jovano Dos Santos along with guest players, Alex Saul and Dwayne Alleyne.
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Kaieteur News
Lights! Cameras! Auction! Cottrell and Hetmyer score big pay in IPL Shimron Hetmyer
Sheldon Cottrell brings out the salute BCCI Sheldon Cottrell and Shimron Hetmyer have been amazing for West Indies on the ongoing tour of India, and yesterday they landed huge contracts to play in next year’s Indian Premier League. Cottrell, the Jamaican soldier cum left-arm quick bowler, will join King’s XI Punjab for a fee of US$1.2 million after securing one of the biggest purses at the auction in Kolkata yesterday. It will be his first time in the tournament and will link up in the Mohali-based team alongside the undisputed king of power-hitting Chris Gayle and the sensational Nicholas Pooran. Hetmyer, the gifted middle-order batsman, has also scored a contract in excess of US$1 million and will be turning out in the capitol city for Delhi Capitals. Last year’s the Guyanese lefthander was in the ranks of Royal Challengers Bangalore, but for 2020 edition he will join the new outfit as a teammate with his close friend and
countryman Keemo Paul. Hetmyer and Cottrell spoke to CWI Media from the West Indies team base in Cuttack, India where they are preparing for the third and final One-Day International, scheduled for Sunday. The series has seen two fantastic contests so far in Chennai and Vizag and a grand finale is expected in the winner-takeall last match at the at Barabati Stadium. “I’m extremely happy but I’m humbled at the same time. I’ve worked really hard and I’ve seen some rewards, and this is another step in my journey. I only know it one way … that’s through hard work and dedication,” Cottrell said. “Right now, I want to play a part in us winning this series. We’re 1-1 and that’s my main focus to get a win on Sunday and give our fans an early Christmas gift.” Cottrell added: “Thanks to King’s XI Punjab for seeing my talent and giving me this opportunity. I look
forward to playing alongside the Universe Boss himself, Chris Gayle, and the super talented Nicholas Pooran, who has been a revelation in the West Indies team. I have to thank the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) as well as everyone in Jamaica cricket and West Indies cricket. This is where my foundation started.” Both Hetmyer and Cottrell have impacted the series so far. Hetmyer made a sensational century in the first match as West Indies won by eight wickets at the Chepauk in Chennai. Cottrell picked up the vital early wickets of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli in the space of four balls and added two more in the second match on
Wednesday. “I’m pleased with how things went at the auction… hoping that I can do something special with my new team, the Delhi Capitals, and win the tournament. But at the moment the focus is on winning the series. It’s the West Indies that has given me the platform to reach this far … the chance to play on the world stage. That’s the main goal to do whatever is required to help the West Indies win,” Hetmyer said. “It would be great to end the year on a high note against a higher ranked team like India. We have to look at the good things we did in the last two games and look to put everything together and play that complete game.
KFC Goodwill Football Tourney Semis
Shiva Boys’ Hindu College, Lodge, DC Caesar Fox Sec. and Annai Sec. clash today The semifinal round for the second annual KFC Goodwill football tournament, being promoted by the Petra Organisation would be contested tonight under floodlights at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue starting at 17:00hrs. The defending champions, Shiva Boys’ Hindu College of Trinidad & Tobago, looks in ominous form and they will seeking to continue their 100% record since the first championship last year, today, when they face Lodge Secondary in the
feature match at 19:00hrs. Lodge Secondary, champions of the just concluded Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers Schools’ under-18 league will be desperate to show that the local school teams can compete against the likes of T&T’s 2017 first division school league champions with an upset. If Lodge Secondary are to get past the Trinidadians they will be hoping that their Captain and target man; Dorwin George, continues his prolific goal scoring form which helped them to usurp Annandale Secondary as the
local school league champions. In the opening game, DC Caesar Fox Secondary; popularly known as Waramadong, of region seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) will match skills with another out of City team, Annai Secondary of region nine (Upper Takatu – Upper Essequibo) in a potentially m o u t h w a t e r i n g encounter.Waramadong, in their debut season in the competition which has been pledged by the organisers to get bigger and better each year, are unbeaten heading
into today’s semifinals but they will find a good competitor in Annai that laid on a 9-1 thrashing on Annandale Secondary that is not a usually easy opponent to get past. So, sparks are expected to fly in this knockout game tonight. Based on form, Waramdong and the defending champions, Shiva Boys’ should ascend to Sunday’s final that is also scheduled for the MOE ground but both opposing teams are capable of making upsets on any given day. (Calvin Chapman)
NBA roundup: Heat snap 76ers’ home win streak at 14 Field Level Media Kendrick Nunn scored 26 points, Bam Adebayo added 23, and the visiting Miami Heat defeated the 76ers 108104 on Wednesday, snapping Philadelphia’s season-long home winning streak. At 14-0, the 76ers had been the last unbeaten home team in the league. They trailed by 16 points with nearly seven minutes remaining in the game before rallying to within two, but Al Horford’s potential go-ahead 3-point try missed with five seconds left. Duncan Robinson contributed 15 points and Jimmy Butler had 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Heat, who had been blown out 113-86 in their first meeting with the 76ers this season in Philadelphia on Nov. 23. Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 22 points and 19 rebounds while Tobias Harris added 20 points. Ben Simmons and Josh Richardson had 17 apiece. New Orleans Pelicans 107 Minnesota Timberwolves 99 - Brandon Ingram scored 34 points, and New Orleans ended its franchise-worst, 13-game losing streak with a victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis. Jrue Holiday added 18 points, JJ Redick had 12, Josh Hart added 11 and Lonzo Ball 10 as the Pelicans earned their first victory since Nov. 21. New Orleans was playing the opener of a four-game road trip. Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points to lead the Timberwolves, who lost their eighth consecutive game. Minnesota center KarlAnthony Towns didn’t play because of a sprained left knee sustained in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Oklahoma City Thunder 126 - Memphis Grizzlies 122 - Dennis Schroder matched his season-high with 31 points and Oklahoma City pulled off a second consecutive improbable comeback, beating visiting Memphis. Schroder scored 22 of his points in the second half, when the Thunder started chipping away at a 24-point deficit. It was the third-biggest comeback in Oklahoma City history and came just two days after the Thunder won after trailing the Chicago Bulls by 26 points. Oklahoma City is just the second team in the last 25 seasons to win back-to-back games after trailing by 20 or more points, along with the Indiana Pacers in January 2010,
according to Elias Sports. Boston Celtics 109 Dallas Mavericks 103 Kemba Walker scored 32 points and Jaylen Brown added 26 as visiting Boston ended a two-game losing streak by beating Dallas. Jayson Tatum scored 24 points while Enes Kanter grabbed 13 rebounds as the Celtics rallied from a 10-point second-quarter deficit to avoid dropping to .500 on the road. While the Celtics are 101 in home games, they are just 8-6 away from Boston. Kristaps Porzingis had 23 points and 13 rebounds before he fouled out while Seth Curry added 20 off the bench as the Mavericks lost a game for the first time without Luka Doncic, who is out for two weeks with a sprained ankle. Chicago Bulls 110 Washington Wizards 109 (OT) - Wendell Carter Jr. hit a go-ahead reverse layup with 9.1 seconds remaining in overtime and Lauri Markkanen scored a gamehigh 31 points to spark visiting Chicago to a comefrom-behind victory against Washington. Washington led by as many as 18 in the fourth quarter, but scuffled down the stretch as the Bulls closed regulation on a 23-5 run. Bradley Beal missed a short jumper in the paint as time expired, as the Wizards lost for the fifth time in six games. Beal swished a jumper from the free throw line with 0.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to put the Wizards ahead 98-96. The shot looked like an apparent game-winner, but Washington’s Isaac Bonga fouled Zach LaVine (24 points) under the basket on the ensuing inbounds play, and LaVine hit both free throws to send the game to overtime. Toronto Raptors 112 Detroit Pistons 99 - Pascal Siakam had 26 points, Serge Ibaka supplied a season-high 25 points with 13 rebounds, and Toronto downed host Detroit. Toronto’s Kyle Lowry notched a tripledouble with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while OG Anunoby had 19 points and eight rebounds in the victory. Detroit center Andre Drummond, the league’s leading rebounder, returned to action after missing two games due to left eye inflammation related to an allergic reaction. He had 22 points and 18 rebounds. Results elsewhere: Denver Nuggets 113 Orlando Magic 104, Cleveland Cavaliers 100 Charlotte Hornets 98, Portland Trail Blazers 122 Golden State Warriors 112.
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Friday December 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
MOE and GTTA benefits from Chinese Government support
Chinese Ambassador H.E. Cui Jainchu (left) shakes hands with GTTA’s Godfrey Munroe as they exchange copies of the signed MOU. The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) received a timely boost from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to help their mandate of promoting sports and more specifically Table Tennis in schools which will see some 50 institutions receiving gear which includes
tables, rackets and balls. During the presentation yesterday, which was held at the National Center for Education Resource Development (NCERD), in attendance were Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Karen Cummings, Minister of Education; Dr. Nicolette Henry, GTTA Head Godfrey Munroe and Chinese Ambassador,
H.E. Cui Jianchu. During the Chinese Ambassador’s remarks, he noted that China is always happy to assist and over the years China would have sent Coaches to Guyana to help the development of the sport. As far back as 1973, the Guyana Table Tennis team visited China and participated in the Asia, African and Latin
Students from some of the schools that will benefit from the Chinese Embassy’s donation of Table Tennis gear. American Table Tennis Friendship Invitational tournament in Beijing. And, only last year, as the bilateral friendship continued, four players underwent a high level training stint at one of the most Elite Table Tennis Academies in the People’s Republic; the Zhengding based in Hebei.
Dr. Cummings posited that this gesture by the Chinese Embassy is an expression of strong and continued partnerships between the nations. She furthered noted that sports can be a powerful vehicle for promoting foreign relations, trade and enterprise between peoples and nations. GTTA boss, Godfrey
Munroe stressed that the Chinese Embassy maintains a long-term friendship with the GTTA and he is most grateful for their contribution that will ensure that the recently launched nationwide Table Tennis Schools’ Training programme can be more effectively and efficiently conducted. (Calvin Chapman)
Kaya & Talo Annual Youth Challenge U-13 & U-16 Football Cup Fiesta
MVPs Seon Cato and Devon Padmore helps Vurlon Mills Academy win both divisions Led by Most Valuable Players in the Under-13, Seon Cato and Under-16, Devon Padmore, Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA) won both divisions of the Kaya & Talo Annual Youth Challenge Football Cup Fiesta which was held on Saturday last at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in the Bauxite Mining Town. In the Under-13 final against Milerock, VMFA won 0-1 via kicks from the penalty mark after the teams had battled to 0-0 stalemate in regulation time. In their first match, VMFA flew past Eagles FC by the lone goal of that encounter while they defeated Fruta Conquerors 2-0 in their next match before going on to lift the winner’s trophy. Like their Under-13 counterparts, the Under-16 team won their division on kicks from the penalty mark against Topp XX, their clash also ended 0-0. In reaching the final, VMFA took care of business against Net Rockers 1-0 and Hi Stars, 20. The City based Academy also took away the Most Discipline Player in the U13 segment which went to Justin Alcindor as well as the Best Goalkeeper and Most Discipline Player in the U16 who was Robert Marcus.
The victorious Vurlon Mills Football Academy Under-13 and 16 teams show off their silverware.
Friday December 20, 2019
UDFA Christmas Football continue tonight at MSC
Giant killers Coomacka down Silver Shattas to reach semis; Panthers trounce Botafago Giant killers, Coomacka Football Club which hails from the mines area in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden are through to the semifinals of this year’s Upper Demerara Football Associaiton Christmas Championship having downed Silver Shattas 4-3 when play continued on Wednesday last at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground. The other match played saw Amelia’s Ward Panthers gaining a 3-0 win over Botafago. Coomacka, after upsetting top seed Net Rockers needed to beat the Shattas to earn a final four spot and that they did in what has placed Net Rockers out of contention as they now play Shattas in the last group game which cannot deny Coomacka that final four placing. Lionel Peters (Jnr.) was the player who gave Coomacka the lead in the 26th minute and teammate Wheatan Thom to the delight of the appreciative spectators made it 2-0 in the 34th minute. But one minute later Felix Inniss would pull one back for the Shattas making it 2-1, the score line remained unchanged at the half way mark. Coomacka’s advantage would increase in
the 52nd minute through a Keron Charles goal and the advantage was further stretched by Gary Savoury’s 59th minute effort, a 4-1 advantage. But Silver Shattas did take the fight to their opponents and were rewarded when Jermaine Samuels scored in the 61st minute. As the game was heading to a finish, Shattas would score on the stroke of fulltime through Andy Norville to leave the final score agonizingly close, 4-3. Game two produced a comfortable result for Amelia’s Ward Panthers which beat the number two ranked team in this competition, Botafago 3-0. The result would mean that Panthers have strengthened their chances of advancing after losing their opening game while Botafago cannot say the same. Panthers gained the lead in the 26th minute through Dellon Luke and then increased it when Romeo Allen scored in the 61st minute. Their third goal was registered in the 78th minute off the boot of Bevon Hinds. The action continues tonight with Hi Stars and Capital FC going head to head in opening play to be followed by a clash between Topp XX and Aroiama.
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 20, 2019
GFF Super 16 Cup
Bartica and Essequibo bracing for potentially exciting shin digs tomorrow night
The communities of Bartica and Essequibo are bracing for what is expected to be two exciting matches when the GFF Super 16 Cup 2019/2020 lands in those
communities tomorrow evening. It will be the home teams seeking to turn back the challenge of the visiting (Continued on page 34)
Friday December 20, 2019
Kaieteur News
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GCB Annual Awards
Romario Shepherd and Shemaine Campbell are male and female Cricketers of the Year
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The awardees and CGI officials at the Awards function on Wednesday night at the GCC pavilion.
KFC Goodwill Football Tourney Semis
Shiva Boys’ Hindu College, Lodge, DC Caesar Fox Sec. and Annai Sec. clash today KFC Football action at the GFF National Training Facility, Providence.
Fruta Conquerors v Buxton United; New Amsterdam United v Buxton Stars tonight at BV Gr.
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