Kaieteur News
PAGE 04
Friday December 21, 2018
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
TRUMP IN SERIOUS TROUBLE
S
ince taking office two years ago, President Trump’s life has been placed under a legal microscope and now his worst political nightmare is about to unfold in front of the American people. Months of damaging legal revelations have left his political career clouded by criminality and his life, his presidency and his business empire under assault by relentless prosecutors on multiple fronts. Several months of investigations, court filings, flipped witnesses, hurtful disclosures, indictments and guilty pleas by key associates have delivered severe blows to Trump that could expose him to deep legal and political trouble and the possibility of being impeached. The volume of material being churned out by special counsel Robert Mueller and other federal prosecutors have exposed Trump’s presidency, beset by a number of scandals and illegalities that are staggering, breathless and difficult for the mind to comprehend. The seventeen active criminal investigations currently underway at federal, state and local levels against the Trump presidency, his campaign, his inaugural committee, his business, his organization and his charity foundation speak volumes of a man who during the campaign had said that if elected president, he would drain the swamp in Washington. President Trump has angered so many Americans that not even his fellow Republicans are prepared to give him and his associates a free pass. He has been indirectly fingered in criminal attempts to subvert the campaign finance laws by the US attorney’s office in the Southern District of New York, Trump’s own appointee. Meanwhile, many of his key associates have pleaded guilty, some for offences unrelated to the President but which have offered prosecutors with insightful information of Mr. Trump’s own conduct. His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort is in jail on charges unrelated to Trump’s campaign. His former attorney Michael Cohen who once said that he would take a bullet for President Trump has flipped, pleaded guilty to a felony, and has been sentenced to three years in prison. His deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates is now a convicted felon. George Papadopoulos, a former member of his foreign policy advisory team has pleaded guilty to a felony charge and served 30 days in jail. His former national security adviser Michael Flynn may avoid prison because he presented solid information to Special Counsel after turning against his former boss. These guilty deals have added to the already perilous state of President Trump’s legal and political woes. The trail of dishonesty and deceit is evident even before Special Counsel Robert Mueller has delivered what could ultimately be his most explosive findings - that is if he found evidence that the President’s campaign cooperated with Russia and obstructed justice in the firing of former FBI Director James Comey in an effort to thwart the Mueller investigations. A full assessment of the depth of Trump’s political and legal predicament may only become clear next year when the Democrats take control of the House. But the President has already expressed concern that he could be impeached. But even if he is impeached by Democrats in the House, it is not likely that he will be removed from office, because it would require two-third of the votes in the Senate which is controlled by Republicans, to remove him from office. However, unless there are charges of high crimes and misdemeanors against Mr. Trump, it seems unlikely that Democrats in the House will risk an impeachment process. Even if Mr. Trump is cleared of all wrongdoing, his presidency would still be remembered as one of the most scandal-ridden of modern history. He has maintained that he did nothing wrong but is being investigated by rogue prosecutors who have always hated him. While much has been learned about the President’s legal problems recently, the true extent of his liability remains to be seen.
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.
Power Producers and Distribution Inc. has 100% Local Content Dear Editor, The Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to respond to an article published in the Kaieteur News edition, dated Wednesday, December 19, 2018, under the headline, “Don’t criticize the purveyors of gloom and doom”. This article sought to misinform the general public, that the Power Producers and Distribution Inc. (PPDI) does not have a local content nor does it have the capacity as its p r e d e c e s s o r, Wa r t s i l a Operations Guyana Inc. (WOGI).PPDI seeks to correct certain statements through the following facts: i) PPDI is a state-owned company that operates and maintain four power plants on behalf of Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) which was established in December 2016. These power plants were previously operated and maintained by Wartsila Operations Guyana Inc. (WOGI). PPDI is responsible for a
total electrical output of 106.7 megawatts of installed power generation capacity within the Demerara to Berbice Interconnected System. The four power p l a n t s u n d e r P P D I ’s management are Garden of Eden (22 MW), Kingston #1 (22MW), Kingston # 2 (36.3 M W ) a n d Vr e e d - e n Hoopdistribution of electricity throughout the Demerara to Berbice Interconnected System. As part of the Operations and Maintenance Agreement, PPDI offers performance guarantees to GPL that are based on the industry’s key performance indicators: availability, plant heat rate, and lube oil consumption. SAVINGS ii) During the history of WOGI in Guyana, the company was always managed by 100% local content. In 2016 when PPDI took over the employees were given the opportunity to remain with the new company or to seek avenues of employment elsewhere.
To date, approximately 90% of the most experienced, trained, certified, and qualified employees remained under the new management of PPDI. iii)Under the new management of PPDI all of the company’s capital profits remains in our jurisdiction. A c c o r d i n g t o P P D I ’s Audited Financial Statements for 2017, the company experienced a profit of 16% before tax with an overall profit of 12% after tax. PROJECTS iv) PPDI follows the Engineering, Procurement and Construction agreement, this agreementallows GPL to tender out on different projects. For instance, in the past WOGI would have provided the equipment, supervision for the instillation of the equipment, however, the installation has always done by a 100% G u y a n e s e s t a ff . I t i s quintessential to note, that these staff came from construction companies that are indigenous to Guyana,
that is, there were companies that undertook the foundation, fabrication or installationof projects. These projects were supervised by the manufacturer, but they were all constructed by local companies. What this article has sought to achieve is to discredit the profound decision-making capabilities of Minister Patterson, while embarrassing our local engineers’ ability to get the job done. Yet, what is pellucidly clear is that the statements in the letter are purely based on assumption and misguided information. For this reason, we do urge the author, Mr. Robin Singh to browse through PPDI’s website where all of t h e c o m p a n y ’ s facts/information can be found, free of charge to the general public. Website: https://www.ppdi.gy Yours Faithfully, Krest Cummings Public Relations Officer Ministry of Public Infrastructure
The Wartsila replacement will not help Guyana DEAR EDITOR, It was my intention to open Pandora’s Box and release its last inmate, Hope. My previous missive was a championing of ‘doom and gloom’ but I am cognizant of the festive season and all it means to us in Guyana. The focus would have been on Hope Canal, a project conceived as a solution to the catastrophic floods of 2005; a canal that has a carrying capacity of 58 cubic meters per second and serves to drain the EDWC of excess water. It is Hope that relieves Guyanese of stress caused by dark clouds and raindrops. However, fate intervened in the form of a reply to the aforementioned ‘doom and gloom’ by Power Producers and Distribution Inc. ( P P D I ) Wa r t s i l a Operations Guyana Inc. (WOGI).” For his and the public benefit, please allow me to reiterate my position. PPDI does not have the capacity to build the 300MW power plant envisioned by ExxonMobil. PPDI is a two-year-old state owned maintenance company with the failure of
the Anna Regina and GuySuCo Wartsila engines as part of its record. PPDI has no history of anything other than GPL engine maintenance. PPDI’s local content is not an issue as PPDI would not qualify to tender for building ExxonMobil’s power plant. Editor, PPDI further states that I “sought to discredit the profound decision-making capabilities of Minister Patterson”. In this PPDI is
correct. Patterson’s fetish for Nationalization by other names does irreparable harm to our nation’s future. Minister Patterson declared in parliament that he would save US$6 Million per year by setting up PPDI, poaching the WOGI workforce and awarding PPDI the GPL contracts. PPDI has never declared a US$6Million annual profit, and the resulting loss of the engineering and construction capability of WOGI to Guyana is why
ExxonMobil has not begun construction of the power plant. Minister Patterson’s takeover of the Berbice Bridge has also done terrible harm to private investor confidence and I regret not being more strident during the creation of PPDI as silence seems to have emboldened the misguided actions of the Minister. I hope this brings clarity to the issue. Respectfully Robin Singh
Shoddy conditions at GPHC Dear Editor, The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has a long way to go. I visited GPHC’s outpatient unit last Sunday. I walked in to inquire about the procedure to see the doctor. The security told me that I needed to wait for another doctor. I asked when the next doctor would be available, but the security did not know. None of the staff at the outpatient unit knew when the doctor would arrive. It appeared that doctors at the outpatient unit do not have a scheduled time; patients had to sit and wait in the dark, not knowing if the doctor would arrive in five minutes or three hours. One patient complained that she was waiting for hours at the hospital and no one could provide any information about the doctor’s arrival.
Guyanese pay taxes to receive free health care. We should not be treated with such unconcern by the GPHC. After waiting for about 45 minutes, I left for a private hospital. I still did not know when the doctor would arrive and neither did the patient who was there for hours. GPHC needs to do better; patients deserve to know when the next doctor would be available. Waiting for hours without any information is unacceptable. P.S. The outpatient area was also unsanitary. Dirty water settled on the concrete and the windows were consumed with dust. The windows looked like they were not wiped in ages. Hospitals should not be unsanitary. They are responsible for people’s health. Rae Wiltshire
Friday December 21, 2018
Kaieteur News
Jagdeo must debate his record Dear Editor, Once again as Mr. Jagdeo proceeds to engage Parliament to debate the no confidence motion against t h e A P N U + A F C government, he should take up the challenge to debate his record. During the 2015 General and Regional Elections campaign, I called on then private citizen Bharrat Jagdeo, who was calling on then Leader of the Opposition David Granger to debate him, to debate me. I made this call because Mr. Jagdeo likes to think that he can debate others’ performance but doesn’t like his performance as Minister of Finance, President or Leader of the Opposition to be debated. Observe how flustered and angry he gets when the media ask questions about his record.Leader of the Opposition, Jagdeo, has no moral authority, is no position to claim or debate a no confidence motion in any government other than his. As President, his record is that of an abysmal failure and embarrassment to Guyana and Guyanese. Before he can debate the three-year-old APNU+AFC government, he must first debate his twelve-year record as president (19992011), a record characterised by incompetence, evidence of greed, crime, narcom i l i t a r i s a t i o n , marginalisation, racial discrimination, ethnic tension, strife, shame and disgrace on the presidency, intolerance of dissent, disrespect for our seniors, death squads, abuse of a woman whom he presented as a legal wife, which was later denied by her. Let there be a debate of the bloodiest period of our independence, which was during his leadership. This much include the unsolved murders of Crum-Ewing, R o n a l d Wa d d e l l , h i s Minister of Agriculture Satyadeow Sawh, and the hundreds of others; the violation of laws and citizens’ rights; budgetary discrimination; numerous scams; association with nefarious characters; massacres; torture of children; hundreds of deaths that include citizens and members of the business community; the infamous Shaheed Roger Khan; the white elephant Skeldon Factory; the Amailia Falls scam; textbook, law book and milk powder scams; the floating wharves; attack on press freedom; Pradoville I
and II; a failing healthcare system that he felt safer travelling to Florida to treat his stomach pain at taxpayers’ expense. Mr. Jagdeo, let us have a debate on your record before debating the Coalition’s record. The jury is still out on yours. Furthermore, the list is so long that it will require more than one sitting of Parliament to debate. He should debate the employment record during his time. Guyanese need him to answer why youth unemployment was the highest under his presidency. He talks often about sugar workers being retrenched by the APNU+AFC but he does not talk about his government retrenching them too or about the thousands of workers retrenched in the public service and bauxite. Let there be a debate on this record.Let there be a debate of him as a role model and young leader, and the example he set. In 1999, Mr. Jagdeo ascended to the presidency through the anointment of Mrs. Janet Jagan who stepped down from the position. During his era, Guyana and Guyanese suffered immensely. He governed with a thick ugly dark cloud of fear always hanging over. He wants to keep our mood dark by continuing his fear tactics as Leader of the Opposition. Let there be a debate on his statesmanship or lack thereof. There should be a debate on his dictatorial tendencies and what late president and leader of the opposition Desmond Hoyte called executive lawlessness. Let Mr. Jagdeo debate giving away our wealth to foreigners like Bai Shan Lin and others. During his presidency, the ‘get rich’ syndrome was pursued by any means necessary and Transparency International ranked Guyana as the most corrupt English-speaking country on this side of the equator. Let Parliament first debate of Mr. Jagdeo’s record, temperament and lust for power; the obsession with power that saw backdoor dealings to have a third term. Thanks to the Caribbean Court of Justice, this will not happen. In 2011, he told Guyanese that he was finished with political office but came back in 2015 and knocked former president Donald Ramotar clean out. The Leader of the Opposition has asked
Members of Parliament on the Government side to vote according to their conscience. I’m asking Members on the Opposition side to vote with their conscience. A clear conscience knows that the APNU+AFC was elected by the people for a five-year term and willy-nilly excuses to prematurely end the term are unacceptable. My experience as a former Member of Parliament knows every government can be answerable through the various parliamentary committees. Ministers of government, department heads, and any whom the committee thinks can aid the information it needs can be required to provide it. The Opposition knows this too and many of the crucial committees are headed by their Members. The PPP/C is abusing the no confidence motion. This is another attempt to want to remove the Coalition through the backdoor. First, it was non-stop chanting to delegitimize the government with wild accusations that the 2015 elections were rigged and saying former GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally must go. The list goes on and on and on. The PPP/C feels they alone have the right to govern and no one else. When things do not go in their favour, they will use every pretext to cry foul and destabilise.Though Mr. Jagdeo is always running away from debating his record, the fact that the PPP/C lost in 2011 and 2015, shows that Guyanese have placed no confidence in him. Ms. Vanessa Kissoon Former Member of Parliament R e g i o n 1 0 Representative
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Bartica’s development seems assured Dear Editor, A ‘Clean, Green and Safe Environment’ in three years is just about enough for the people of Bartica to express full confidence in the APNU/AFC government. Bartica is slowly recovering from decades of political troubles. We have seen it all, from a bloody massacre to removal of the elected NDC and its replacement by a politically appointed IMC. Residents were sold house lots in the Five Miles Housing Scheme at exorbitant prices despite there being no basic infrastructure (electricity and water). In addition, millions of dollars was invested in the upgrade of the water network, an upgrade that never came to fruition. Residents continue to receive water every other day. The Byderabo dumpsite was allowed to become an environmental crisis, and heavily polluted both the Essequibo River and a nearby creek.Whenever rain fell, residents in that area used an alternate road, since flies would get into their noses as they hopped through worms curling across the road. The timber industry, which employed hundreds of workers in the many sawmills in and around the community and brought much life to Bartica, quickly dwindled and today is actually nonexistent. The business community was forced to supply its own power because of the frequent power outages. More so, the dilapidated Transport and Harbours Department stelling only added to the woes of those doing business. Today, Bartica
has seen a genuine commitment to development by the present government. In less than a year after taking office, the APNU/AFC government made Bartica a town and gave us the mandate of leading in Guyana’s green development. It was the beginning of a new era, which continues to see improvement and development in many areas, among them being: 1. Bartica was awarded just under $600M to improve its electricity supply. 2. The town was also awarded an additional $500M to restore the transport stelling and its supporting infrastructure. 3. Millions of dollars was spent on the Byderabo dumpsite, curbing the environmental crisis that existed. A new site has since been identified and preparations are well on the way to constructing a modern waste management site. 4. Bartica now enjoys its own radio station. 5. We celebrate the opportunity to elect our own leaders in local government elections. 6. Our community is safer since we are home to the ‘F’ Division headquarters. 7. Domestic tourism has been significantly boosted since visitors are no longer limited to the massacre’s ‘Monument of Hope’. Instead, tourists are now afforded the opportunity of exploring our many green spaces while enjoying government provided free Wi-Fi. 8. Many Government buildings are now greener with the installation of PV systems. 9. Residents of Five Miles
Housing Scheme will have electricity by the first quarter of 2019. 10. For the first time in its history, the entire township of Bartica will receive daily water supply by the end of 2019. 11.The present construction of the magistrate’s court and soon to be passport office will most certainly make true on the promise of the good life for all. 12. The Bartica Hospital continues to be transformed as it fulfills its mandate of becoming a regional hospital. The installation of the CT Scan and soon to be commissioned water ambulance will significantly boost our healthcare delivery. 13. Significant investment continues to be made in sports and education. The Bartica Spor t s Centre is expected to be completed by mid-2019. Mr. Editor, we Barticians have seen improvements in and around our community. Let it be known, the people of Bartica will not be hoodwinked by selfish political ambitions. We have noted with much disgust the campaign of “doom and gloom” and the continued attempts to drive fear in the populace through various medias. Mr. Editor, let it be known that we stand by His Excellency President David Granger and his government in this challenging time, and say to all Guyana that we will not be moved by any pitiful political agenda, which is founded on deception and untruths. Gifford Marshall Mayor Municipality of Bartica
A banking transaction that seems silly Dear Editor, I would be grateful if you can permit me a small space in your newspaper to highlight an issue that I find extremely worrying. Over the years, it seems that out banking sector is doing everything possible to lose customers and stress out the general public from requesting mountains of documents to implementing unfriendly procedures, which have resulted in long lines at most banks. A close colleague of mine just returned from the bank and confided in me a tale that sounds as though our banks have gone crazy. At the New Building Society
Limited, he was attempting to deposit a dividend cheque for $3,000 that was received from Republic Bank Guyana Limited, the proceeds being dividends from shares held at RBL. He was unsuccessful in completing this seemingly uncomplicated transaction. I now provide you the details as to why he was unable to complete the deposit. The cheque is written in the names of A and B (A being my friend and B being his father). He was attempting to deposit the cheque at NBS to an account in the names B & C (B being his father who is one of the payees of the cheque and C being his mother).
The cheque was endorsed by both A and B (the payees) and both identifications were presented along with the cheque and the book for the account to facilitate the deposit. Now bear in mind similar transactions have been completed in the past at the same NBS with little or no hassle, since dividend cheques have been similarly received from RBL over several years. The teller after referring the transaction to his superior indicated that the procedures have changed and the transaction could not be processed unless both
persons whose names were (Continued on page 06)
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 21, 2018
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN FOR THE SUGAR WORKERS Dear Editor, The lives of sugar workers have always been a devastating struggle to adequately feed, clothe and house their families. This is well documented in our history. This daily struggle has gotten more intense since this Coalition Government took office in May 2015, more than three and a half years ago. Thousands of sugar workers have been converted to beggars whilst the remainder is living under great insecurity and on a hand-to-mouth basis. The bitter struggle is unending! In the 1960s, there ensued a harsh struggle for better conditions and wages for sugar workers but along the way until 1976, they achieved notable gains in hours of work, housing and wages. Unfortunately, these gains were severely compromised during the 28years of PNC dictatorship rule, which saw every aspect of Guyanese lives being systematically destroyed, when even access to food became a criminal act! It was produce and yet perish in those days! The 2015 Commission of Inquiry confirmed this. The COI identified 31 ‘issues and needs’ and
blamed ‘higher than anticipated wage increase’ as one of these. A few pages later, it shortlisted 11 ‘main issues’ which led to the ‘poor and unacceptable state of Guysuco’ and at number five, blamed GAWU for ‘unrelenting’ demands for wage increases. Yet a few pages later, the COI concluded that, ‘the current earnings of sugar workers compare favourably with other categories of workers in Guyana. This observation in no way negates recognition of the difficult and challenging conditions which field workers face’. This is in direct contradiction to the impression given earlier, which had suggested that the sugar workers were overpaid due to the ‘unrelenting’ demands by GAWU! I challenge those who feel that sugar workers are overpaid to spend just one day as a cane-harvester! The indisputable fact is that a strong cane-harvester will need to work the entire week to take home $40,000 and this ‘high’ earning will only last for the duration of the crop , In its entirety, the crop period in GuySuCo is approximately eight months or 32 weeks.
For approximately 20 weeks, the average sugar worker will earn less than $10,000 per week. This may be more due to the unavailability of work due to various reasons. This is not a very healthy financial position and normally results in a continuous cycle of borrowing and debts. This cycle of poverty hardly ends yet more than 7,000 were callously kicked out of their jobs and converted into mendicants. But one year and $30 billion later, the closed estates are yet to be privatized! I am sure 2020 will overtake this privatization process and in the meantime, more sugar workers may be thrown into the breadline. This year the production target of 104,451 tonnes will be realized with the wellmanaged flagship Albion Estate achieving more than 56% the Company’s target, greatly surpassing its own of 56,000 tonnes! But what will the sugar workers receive? GuySuCo has said in a press statement that a bonus will be paid if the target is achieved, ‘the value of which is dependent on the final production’. I am sure the Coalition Government is aware of this, yet no provision was made in the 2019 Budget to give these workers even a paltry
Response to Alan Zaakir Dear Editor, Alan Zaakir speaks on behalf of Canada based Guyanese who love the budget, who are these Canada Based Guyanese he represents? Guess he saw them when he looked in the mirror. Perhaps he should do some research into small non-white countries to see what oil discoveries have done for the poor. The budget has numbers but how much will trickle down to the poor to make their lives better? He should look in the country, which he lives in and see the billions of dollars that the government in that country budgets, yet the poor gets poorer. So explain Alan, how can this collection of senior citizens who play government and the race h a t e s p e w i n g Vi o l a Lawrence make Guyana rise and make life better for the Guyanese poor with the oil wealth? Can you tell the
Guyanese people of the Oil Sands Development in the country you now reside, how it is now a toxic wasteland although it had billions of dollars in investment and the best technology money can buy?EXXON has a history of fraud. The bank that wants to come as banker, Merrill Lynch, has been penalized for fraud in the past. These will be the new managers of the oil wealth in Guyana. So Allan you want to be a PNC mouthpiece, you are free to have opinions and free speech.
However, when that is used to peddle stupidity someone has to take a stand. You should know the Opposition anywhere has all the answers to run governments properly, until they get in power then they go brain dead .So listen to the opposition. That’s what a wise man said in 1992 when PPP won. If you want to know how to run government properly, read the PNC Newspaper, “The New Nation”. Yours David.
A banking transaction ... From page 5 on the cheque along with the other party on the account were present at the bank with their identifications.Then the payees on the cheque will have to endorse the cheque and also indicate pay to the order of the parties on the bank account and then the parties on the account will also have to endorse the
cheque accepting the deposit to their account. Am I the only one that thinks this is absolutely madness? Where else in the world exists such a procedure for conducting a simple deposit of a cheque for $3,000 drawn on, dare I say, a reputable bank in Guyana. With best regards. Marcus Perry
wage increase. Now that the industry has shown progress, it is the Government, which must assist GuySuCo on its onward journey to prosperity and ensuring that the current sugar workers receive a much needed increase in their wages and salaries. No doubt GuySuCo is a loss making entity but so are other public enterprises, which are monopolies. The Finance Minister confirmed this growing trend in this 2019 Budget presentation. However, the Government continues to be magnanimous to them. Two most notable lossmaking monopolies are Guyana Power and Light and the Guyana Oil Company. All workers in the public entities have gotten wage increases year after year despite their poor and declining performances. In 2016, the public servants earning less than
$500,000 per month received a bonus of $25,000 per month. This year public servants will once again receive between 5-7% increases with the retroactive payments this time being tax-free. The Finance Minister could have created the fiscal space by trimming the excess ‘fat’ in the Budget to at least give sugar workers a wage 5% increase since he knew that they have performed exceedingly well despite receiving no wage increases for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. It must be borne in mind that they were even denied any Annual Production Incentives and many benefits were snatched from them during those years. I n J u n e 2 0 1 6, the erstwhile ‘champion’ of the sugar workers, Moses Nagamootoo, saluted the ‘Enmore Five’ and mentioned the ‘long history of struggles for better
working and living conditions’ and concluded that they ‘did not die in vain’ but this hypocritical utterance cannot mask his self-preserving loyalty to his masters by not only remaining silent but has embarked on a litany of vitriolic against them, such as calling them ‘raiders of the Treasury’. He is in a better position to assist them but his subservience and heartlessness know no bounds! It is a season of goodwill and joy and it is my fervent desire that the current sugar workers and the dismissed ones are treated fairly and justly. This Coalition Government has now forgotten the dismissed sugar workers. I exhort all fair-minded Guyanese to ‘light a candle’ and pray for them! Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
Let Carl Parker return Dear Editor, I read in Wednesday’s edition (SN 19th December, 2018) that Carl Parker will be returning to Region Nine as REO. What a news! I know the Regional Chairman and his Vice must be having looseness of bowels right now. He is their worst nightmare. So understandably, they have started to make moves to prevent his return. As I write this letter, I am aware that the Regional Chairman is penning a letter to His Excellency to stop Mr. Parker from returning. The government will have to be foolish to accede to his wishes, again.As one walks the streets of Lethem, Mr. Parker ’s return is whispered reverently among the ordinary citizens of this town. He showed them what real social cohesion was, unlike the Regional Chairman and the Party he represents. It is no secret that the Chairman uses the government-provided vehicle to do his political work, sowing seeds of racism and anti-government sentiments in the villages. Mr. Parker will definitely reign in this mis-use of government resources. The Chairman and his Vice are no match for this visionary gentleman; and they know it. They were literally riding the present REO who
is apparently paralyzed with fear of these two racist, irrelevant political figures. So much so that the ViceChairman, who sits on the Regional Tender Board, was allowed to give contracts to his wife, his father-in-law, and two of his brothers-inlaw. You know that cannot happen under Mr. Parker; hence, the dread of his return. Another issue is the misguided actions of Parker’s colleagues who, in an effort to get rid of him since they did not share his vision, played right into the hands of the Chairman and the PPP. Now it is interesting to note that these very detractors are relishing the r e t u r n o f P a r k e r. T h e y thought that they were capable of reining in the PPP. The results of the last LGE tells the story: PNC, for the
very first time in the history of Lethem, has lost an election of any kind in Lethem. So the Chairman and his PPP can go to France. Lethem and Region Nine needs Mr. Parker and we will welcome him with open arms to stop this economic drought that has engulfed Lethem since his departure in March 2017. I am calling on the government to be strong. The chairman’s party is not in power and they must be made to know their place. The only regret that I have is that his wife is not alive to witness this triumphant return. The PPP killed her, but not her spirit; she lives on. Yours truly, Brindley Britton Julian McDonald Mario Ali itus Lewis
Two men who contributed Dear Editor, Guyana has recently lost two prominent personalities in the persons of Dr. Benjie Singh and Mr. Ronald Gajraj. Both men made their contributions to society in ways that have profoundly touched the lives of Guyanese. I happened to know both of them at a personal level and I can attest to the high degree of professionalism and humanity they displayed in
their respective disciplines. Dr. Benjie was someone who could be described as a ‘people’s doctor’ and Mr. Gajraj’s contribution to law, politics and diplomacy was substantial.I wish to express my deepest condolences to the relatives and friends of both Dr. Benjie Singh and Mr. Ronald Gajraj. The country is certainly poorer because of their passing. Hydar Ally
Senior cop robbed while buying two kilos of cocaine
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 21, 2018
Doctor, bodywork man shot during robbery The scene of yesterday’s robbery.
- allegedly had $6M in car
T
he Assistant Super intendent of Police who claims that bandits took his firearm and jewellery was allegedly transacting a $6M cocaine deal when he was doub l e crossed. Kaieteur News understands that investigators from the Force’s Majo r Crimes Unit have received this information from one of the two suspects. The individuals are said to be from Linden and are reportedly linked to a dealer from that location. Sources said that a detective sergeant who questioned one of the men has been placed under close arrest for allegedly destroying a statement th a t i m p l i cated the assistant superintendent of police. The suspect has reportedly told investigators that he and an accomplice were instructed to purchase two kilogrammes of cocaine from an individual. They were reportedly instructed to rob the buyer, and were allegedly unaware that the buyer was a policeman. It is alleged that when the policeman arrived in his vehicle at the La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara location, the men assaulted him and took
some $6M he had in the vehicle. One of the men also fled with the policeman’s firearm. However, the rank allegedly managed to hold onto the other individual, and subdue him with help from persons nearby. It is alleged that the i n d i v i d u a l s i n v o l v ed in the deal realised that the victim was a policeman. They reportedly then made arrangements for the firearm to be returned to the policeman. ‘C’ Division C o m mander Calvin Brutus yesterday declined to comment on the reports, and referred Kaieteur News to Crime Chief Lyndon Alves. The ASP, who is rep o r t e d l y s t i l l o n d u t y, had alleged that two men held him at gunpoint and took his licenced 9mm pistol and jewellery last Monday evening. The ‘robbers’ were said to have fired several shots into the policeman’s vehicle. The rank has said that he recovered his gold band and chain from one of the robbers, who was held at the scene.
A
doctor and an auto-body repair man of Industry, East Coast Demerara, were both shot and robbed after being traced from a bank at around midday yesterday. The bodywork man and the doctor whose car he is repairing, had just pulled up in front of the bodywork shop in Crown Dam Industry when they were attacked and shot the repairman in his hand and the doctor in his foot. Both men were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were treated for gunshot wounds and have since been admitted.
In a telephone interview with Kaieteur News from his hospital bed, the repairman related that himself and the doctor had just left the bank and had pulled up in front of his workshop, when a Silvergrey Toyota Premio came up in front of his car and a man exited with a gun in his hand. The gun-toting bandit then discharged rounds into the repairman’s car hitting him in the hand. The man said he didn’t even realize that the doctor was hit. He said the bandit then reached into the car and grabbed the bag that the doctor had the money in that he had just withdrawn
from the bank. The bandit then, “walked away fast, and gone”. When Kaieteur News arrived on scene the police were processing the car with the hope of getting any evidence that would help in capturing the perpetrators. The repairman’s car had two shattered front door windows and the left side front door showed a bullet hole. A blood trail led from the car to the workshop suggesting that the repairman ran into the yard after the shooting occurred. When asked how he knew that the car had been trailed him from the bank, he
said, “when we left the bank, we drive through the road before BV main road, and the same car pull in front me and I thought that he was dodging a hole, so I drove around him and went my way, me ain’t realize that that was the first attempt to get me to stop.” The man was thankful to be alive, because only a few years ago, bandits killed an individual who operates a parts business a few doors away from where this robbery occurred.
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Friday December 21, 2018
Guyana has no need for Merrill Lynch - Dr. Mangal …Says firms like these only bring gimmickry, false hopes By Kiana Wilburg
F
ormer Petroleum Ad visor to the Govern ment, Dr. Jan Mangal, is of the firm view that Guyana has no need for firms like Merrill Lynch. In fact, the Oil and Gas Consultant said that such firms only bring gimmickry and false hopes. His comments in this regard come on the heels of a publication by this newspaper on Sunday as it relates to the entity’s troubling past. Kaieteur News exposed the fact that Merrill Lynch has been found overcharging cli-
ents as well as misusing clients’ money for their own purposes. For these and other reasons, Dr. Mangal in one of his recent social media posts insisted that there is no need for Guyana to use any of these firms to manage its Natural Resource Fund. He said, “Instead, keep it simple. Simplicity is the best way forward. All Guyana needs is a small team, no more than a handful, and to invest in well respected index funds. This will be completely transparent (reduces corruption and increases accountabil-
ity), with very low overhead, and returns will be competitive. But there will be many of these investment banking firms like Merrill Lynch wooing government officials with their gimmickry and false promises.” Dr. Mangal warned that these firms only offer complexity, opacity, and high risk (lower returns and leakage). WORRYING PAST Earlier this year, Merrill Lynch had expressed its interest to the government to potentially help manage the nation’s oil wealth. But nothing was said by the govern-
ment on taking precautions with the company, given its history. On Sunday, Kaieteur News presented a comprehensive overview of the entity’s troubling past. In that feature, it was noted that in June 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that Merrill Lynch agreed to pay US$415 million and admit wrongdoing to settle charges that it misused customer cash to generate profits for the firm and failed to safeguard customer securities from the claims of its
creditors. In fact, an investigation found that Merrill Lynch violated the SEC’s Customer Protection Rule by misusing customer cash that rightfully should have been deposited in a reserve account. The probe revealed that Merrill Lynch engaged in complex trades that lacked economic substance and artificially reduced the required deposit of customer cash in the reserve account. The manoeuvre freed up billions of dollars per week from 2009 to 2012 that Merrill Lynch used to finance its own trading activities. Had Merrill Lynch failed in the midst of these trades, the firm’s customers would have been exposed to a massive shortfall in the reserve account. Merrill Lynch further violated the Customer Protection Rule by failing to adhere to requirements that fully-paid for customer securities be held in lien-free accounts and shielded from claims by third parties should a firm collapse. Had Merrill Lynch collapsed at any point, customers would have been exposed to significant risk and uncertainty of getting back their own securities. “The rules concerning the safety of customer cash and securities are fundamental protections for investors and impose lines that simply can never be crossed,” said Andrew J. Ceresney, Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “Merrill Lynch violated these rules, including during the heart of the financial crisis, and the significant relief imposed reflects the severity of its failures.” (https://www.sec.gov/ news/pressrelease/2016128.html) FINED US$42 MILLION FOR FRAUD Last March, Merrill Lynch and its parent company, Bank of America, agreed to pay a record US$42 million fine to the State of New York for fraudulent activity related to its electronic trading services. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that an investigation of the Bank’s electronic trading services revealed a fraudulent “masking” scheme, designed to mislead clients about the entity responsible for executing in-house orders, the state s a i d . Though the Bank told its customers it was executing trade orders themselves, they were in reality routing them to electronic liquidity providers, including Citadel, Two Sigma and Knight. The bank used masking codes to make the trades.
Former Oil Advisor to Govt., Dr. Jan Mangal “Bank of America-Merrill Lynch went to astonishing lengths to defraud its own institutional clients about who was seeing and filling their orders, who was trading in its dark pool, and the capabilities of its electronic trading services,” Schneiderman said in a statement. The investigation showed that Bank of America and Merrill Lynch began the masking scheme as early as 2008 and that at least 16 million client orders were affected. In addition to masking efforts, including the production of false transaction reports, investigators with the attorney general’s office in New York uncovered “other inaccurate representations to investors about the Bank’s electronic trading services” — all part of a broader effort to make the bank’s “electronic trading services look more sophisticated and safer than they really were.” Officials with Bank of America-Merrill Lynch claim they began to address transparency problems related to their electronic trading services several years ago. ”The settlement primarily relates to conduct that occurred as long as 10 years ago,” the Bank told CNBC in an email. “At all times we met our obligation to deliver the best prices to clients. About five years ago, we addressed the issues concerning communicating to clients about where their trades were executed.” (https:// w w w. u p i . c o m / B a n k - o f America-Merrill-Lynchagrees-to-pay-NY-42-million-fine-for-fraud/ 7851521905381/) ANOTHER FRAUD CASE Last June, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it would be fining Merrill Lynch, US$5.2 million. The fine stems from deals involving residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and the broker-deal will also have to pay back $10.5 million to customers. Over the course of its investigation, the SEC found that (Continued on page 29)
Friday December 21, 2018
S
he sat next to me in the minibus. We struck up a conversation easily. The chat was friendly and respectful. Nothing else was involved! She wore a matching blouse and skirt, pastel in colour, and very well tailored. It fitted her quite naturally as if it were made for her slim figure. From the outfit, I presumed that she was working in an office. My first question, though, was about her apparel. Was it her uniform? She answered in the affirmative. She worked at a government agency and in an office. I asked whether she did the tailoring herself. She laughed heartily and said in that typical Guyanese fashion, “No, I cannot sew. It was made by a seamstress.” “If you don’t mind me asking, how much does it cost to sew one of these outfits?” I queried. “Oh, the entire suit cost me $3,000 to sew,” she answered. That much? “That must
take a great chuck out of your salary to have to pay for the uniforms.” “Not really”, she said, “the office refunds the cost of the material and for sewing the uniform.” “They do that?” I queried. “That is nice. So you can say that the clothes you have on today was paid for by your employers.” She smiled in acknowledgement. As the journey got underway, she began to wriggle in her seat as if some red ants were biting her. It was then that I noticed that she was trying to get a folder out of a handbag she had beneath on the floor of the vehicle. It had been a long time since I had seen such a folder. In fact, I was very much interested in purchasing one of those folders to keep my documents. As she opened it to get something out, I observed that it contained more than just documents. There was a pen, a pencil, a ruler, and a
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staple machine resting on a yellow writing pad.” “That folder sure holds a lot,” I said. “Where did you buy it?” “I didn’t she said. All these things here are part of my office supplies,” she confessed.” “You mean to say that at the office you are supplied with all of those things? Including the pen?” “Yes, including the pen” she replied “I am going to a meeting.” So how come, you are traveling by bus? I asked. How come your employers are not transporting you to
your meeting? I asked. Oh, she said, “The boss sent the driver to pick up his wife, so there was no vehicle available.” “Very interesting!” I said. We continued to chat, but somehow with every kilometre covered she became more restless. At one point she crossed her legs and I noticed that she had on an elegant pair of shoes. Highheeled and fashionable. “Lovely shoes” I remarked. “Where did you buy those?” “I did not,” she answered. “Please do not tell me you got those from the office
too.” I said. “No,” she laughed. “These are not considered office supplies or part of the uniform, but I will tell you a secret…” A confession. And so quickly. I must have been a good conversationalist. I perked my ears. She began, “While I did not get this from the office. I got it from someone in the office. “That is nice,” I said. “One of your girl friends at the office gave you her shoes?” She looked a little annoyed at my suggestion. “I
do not deal with lef-lef.” she retorted. I quickly apologised and a smile returned to her face. “But I will tell you the truth,” she said. “I got it from the boss. He is my friend.” As we approached a junction she hailed the driver to stop. He did and she disembarked. As the bus pulled off, I noticed her entering a school that teaches secretarial skills.
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Friday December 21, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The world’s largest circus on show in Parliament today
I
hope at least one mem ber from the PPP benches in Parliament during the no-confidence motion today says to Dr. Scotland, “Mr. Speaker I beg for your generosity, to have your permission to point my finger directly at the Honourable Member, the Prime Minister, and ask why did he stop two Guyanese stalwarts – Dr. David Hinds and Lincoln Lewis – from writing their columns in the Chronicle. If he cannot offer this House an explanation, then I urge members of ANPU and the AFC to vote in favour of this motion.” The leadership of the PNC and AFC have been tormented since the no-confidence motion was tabled. Those leaders believe that two MPs from the coalition will vote for the motion. Should that happen, then fresh elections have to be called in three months’ time. In my conceptualization of power in Guyana, I don’t believe APNU+AFC deserves
to continue in office. We all have our opinions and short of libel and nasty characterization, natural law dictates we have a right to express them. In my opinion, the one situation among countless others that should cause the coalition to fall in Parliament today, is that Chronicle scandal. It caused me psychic laceration when it happened. To think that for twentythree years we fought against party and government domination of the state media; to think that the budget allocation in 2012 for the state media was cut because of such domination. Now today the PNC and AFC are in power and they reject not two school boys, not two recent UG graduates, not two activists who just came on the scene, but two of Guyana’s staunchest pro-democracy fighters, whose praxis go way back to the seventies, from writing opinion pieces in the Chronicle.
I am saying boldly, graphically and unambiguously, this Chronicle scandal is plausible justification for the current ruling coalition to lose the noconfidence vote. Since it happened earlier this year, I taunt Lincoln Lewis each time I see him about the anticipated showdown between him and Nagamootoo. At the wake of Bevon Currie last Saturday, we sat at the same table and I turned to him with a broad smile on my face and said, “Lincoln, you know Moses coming at the wake later.” With his inimitable expression and with an equally broad smile, Lincoln replied; “What is he coming here for?” Of course I was only taunting Lincoln. The moral egregiousness, political depravities and philosophical emptiness of the post-2015 construct in Guyana are so volcanic, tragic, traumatic, that such a formation should not continue to administer this pov-
erty-stricken, unmodern land that cries out for a future, a dream that has eluded this nation since Independence. I had a long exchange with brother/sister team of the Fernandes from Bartica outside the AFC office last Friday evening. Juretha Rodrigues is the head of the AFC’s youth arm. With my dog in my arms, I asked Juretha to use all her intellectual talent and tell me why she supports the AFC. After one hour, she couldn’t do that. I think she could, but she wouldn’t, because she knew her points would not easily stand up. The points of any supporter of the APNU+AFC government cannot stand up. I once wrote two years ago in these columns that no government since Independence made so many mistakes and was so unpopular in its first year in office as APNU+AFC.
It has been a sad and woeful show. If they were a rock band on stage, the audience would have turned off the lights and pelted them with firecrackers. But if APNU+AFC loses today in parliament, the world will shudder. Look who is the alternative. Half of this country is below 25, according to the US Ambassador. You put the PPP back, those kids have absolutely no future. This country has been ruined by the presidencies of Jagdeo and Ramotar. Everywhere you go in this country you see pyrotechnical manifestations of the tragic years of the long knives of the PPP. No semantic sophistication is needed. Simply put – the PPP destroyed this country! The following lines are true. At the wake of Dr. Benjamin Singh, Donald Ramotar was leaving and Major-General Joe Singh escorted him
Frederick Kissoon out. He began to shake hands with people as he walked out the yard. A woman next to me, turned to me and said, ‘But he ain’t got no bodyguards.” Here are some lines from Steel Pulse’s famous, great and politically inspired reggae hit song, “Bodyguard.” Bodyguard I wouldn’t like your job Snakes in the grass say they know not God Polytricksters drinking human blood A concrete heart can hold no love
DEM BOYS SEH
Lawyers fighting judges, snake biting ee own tail
When a snake start to bite ee own tail something wrong. De snake is not de only animal dat does get a problem wid he own tail. People does see dog chasing it own tail. Dat is wha happening in de courts today. People don’t get hang no more. A man kill anodda one or he kill a woman and go in court. De case try and he get a li’l sentence and come out. Dat is how people start to kill like if life didn’t have value. A judge decide to try to stop de killing suh he start to hand down some serious sentence. After a while, nobody didn’t want to go before him fuh trial. When dem boys ask de judge bout he
sentencing policy, he seh dat dem ain’t hanging anybody, suh he mekking sure dat de people don’t come out of jail to kill again. Dat is suppose to be a good thing but all of a sudden de lawyers who go and represent de killers in front de judge now challenging de judge. Dem going to de Court of Appeal to complain about de big sentences. And de Appeal Court listening. Couple times well de court overturn de big sentence and send de people back fuh do over de trial. Dat is de first tail bite. De second bite is when de Appeal Court does reduce de sentence. One man got de nerve to go to de Appeal Court and challenge de sentence he get
fuh rape. He want de court to tell de judge how de sentence too harsh. Then anodda one kill he wife and he ain’t agree wid de big sentence he get. Dem boys believe de time coming when de criminal guh tell de judge how much jail time he must get. But dis same thing wid de appeal can backfire. De judge might give anodda kind of sentence dat gon mek people cuss. Dis thing cut both ways and de judge always in de middle. When de sentence too harsh, de lawyers appealing and when de sentence too lenient de prosecutor does appeal. Talk half and watch out fuh dem criminals who wan choose dem jail time!
Friday December 21, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Friday December 21, 2018
Contractor “walks” excavator on newly paved road
The mini-excavator and lowbed transport truck on Duncan Street, Newtown
The scene at Canal Number One (pic on left) and on the West Bank Demerara road. Damage to public property by misuse and plain abuse was at one time brushed aside as just another day. However, a recently completed road in Duncan Street, Newtown, and one at Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, are coming under the spotlight. On Wednesday evening, a contractor decided to
“walk” his mini excavator on the newly paved Duncan Street, causing damage. According to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, the report of the incident upset him, as it underscores the scant lack of regard that some have for the welfare of other citizens. Taking to his Facebook page Wednesday evening,
Patterson explained that until about two months ago, both Duncan and D’Abreu Streets were in a mess, almost to the point of being impassable. After considerable investments, they were both upgraded. On Wednesday night, Patterson wrote, a contractor decided to “walk” his mini excavator on the paved road,
causing damage to the surface.“This contractor took it upon himself not only to cause a traffic jam, but also damage these roadways, because “his workshop just up the road and the lowbed transport truck, too big to turn into the street”.” The minister said that when it was pointed out that he was damaging the road-
way, the response was priceless: “I gun get one of my boys to sweep it off in the morning”. According to Patterson, when sanctions are applied, these same contractors will “run around” crying victimization and “some idiot” will champion their cause. “I am really ticked off, so let the chips fall where they
may,” the minister said.In another post, videographer at the Government’s information agency, Adrian Persaud, uploaded photos of what appears to be a greater no-no on the roads of West Bank. An excavator was seen on one, while a tractor with very sharp blades was caught crossing the Canal Number One road.
Appeal Court sets aside conviction, orders new trial for murder accused The Court of Appeal has set aside the 57-year jail sentence that was imposed on Quaison Jones, for murder, and sent the matter back to the High Court for trial. Jones, 61, called ‘Blondie’, a fish vendor, was convicted
by a jury for the January 17, 2011 murder of Marlon Greene, which occurred at the Meadow Bank Wharf, Georgetown. According to reports, on the day in question some fish cleaners were attracted by
loud hollering and when they ran to the location they allegedly observed Jones cuffing away at Greene. It was reported that a closer look revealed that Jones was armed with a knife, and there were bloodstains
on the blade. Greene’s windpipe and jugular vein were severed, according to the Pathologist. His cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage. Following the sentence and conviction, Jones, through his Attorney, filed an appeal contesting the severity of the sentence and the issue of misdirection by the trial Judge Navindra Singh, who imposed the jail term. Hearing the appeal earlier this month were Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud. Appearing for the State was Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Diane Kaulesar. Attorneys-atLaw Ronald Burch-Smith and Keoma Griffith are representing Jones. During his submissions at the appeal court earlier this month, Burch-Smith argued that based on the evidence, his client was part of a group
of men who had attacked Greene. During the trial, none of the witnesses called by the prosecution indicated who the aggressor was. The lawyer further argued that Justice Singh failed to direct the jury to consider self -defence, accident or even provocation, when he urged the jury to convict Jones of murder if they found that Greene died as a result of injuries inflicted on him by the convict. Advancing further arguments, Burch-Smith noted that self-defence does not always see someone retreating and running away. He said that in criminal law, self-defence means that a person may use reasonable force in the defence of himself or another. The lawyer told the court that the alleged killing occurred in broad daylight, and he found it strange that only close relatives and friends of the deceased were called as prosecution witnesses. Even
Quaison Jones after he was convicted, Jones maintained his innocence. Jones at the time of his sentencing had shouted in court, “it wasn’t me”, adding that he never had any problems with Greene. Jones had also denied ever seeing prosecution witness Nicholas Isaacs, who had testified to seeing him stabbing away at Greene.
Friday December 21, 2018
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Central Bank’s Governor cannot protect oil money – Opposition Leader By Abena RockcliffeCampbell Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has dismissed assurances made by Bank of Guyana’s Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga, that his team is aware of the worrying past of the United States Banking company, Merrill Lynch, and will proceed with caution. Dr. Ganga’s comments were forthcoming after he was faced with questions concerning Merrill Lynch’s interest in managing Guyana’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, where the oil money will be placed. But Jagdeo seems least impressed by Dr. Ganga’s statements. At his most recent press conference, Jagdeo said, “I see the Governor of Central Bank say, ‘we know and we will proceed with caution on Guyana’s oil money.’ I do not know what he knows, frankly speaking, but, the Central Bank is not autonomous. (Minister of Finance, Winston) Jordan will direct the Central Bank to do what he believes is right. And the governor will have absolutely no say in any of this.” Jagdeo said that recent history can give Guyanese a better understanding of how the Governor is expected to act. He said, “Why did he not
tell us when he had the instruction from the Ministry of Finance in 2016 to open a bank account and deposit the US$18M and a year and a half later this country still did not know that that money was there. And the Minister of Finance denied it; the governor of the Central Bank could not speak out against it, because he falls under the authority of the Minister. How could he in the future ever say anything about any money that is not properly accounted for or not managed correct?” Jagdeo was keen to note that he regards Dr. Ganga as “a capable person, but he does not have the authority. The Minister will determine what has to be done.” Further, Jagdeo noted that the green paper on the Sovereign Wealth Fund, dictates the local managers of the fund through the various committees that will be established. He said, “Almost all of the people who will deal with this fund are to be appointed by the Minister of Finance. I said it before, the macroeconomic committee, the investment committee and all the others, those people will all be appointed by Jordan, and that is a big problem we have, so I do not know what the Central Bank Governor is talking
about.” Last Sunday, Dr. Ganga said that Central Bank “will proceed with caution when it comes to any interests from the American Bank in managing Guyana’s oil money.” He noted that Merrill Lynch has made its interest known, but the parameters of the role that they want to play are still being discussed. Dr. Ganga noted however, that Bank of Guyana will be cautious in all of its engagements with potential investors. “Central Bank will be cautious and we will be looking into the background of everyone who is coming to us. We will not be rushing into any-
thing with our eyes closed. Proper due diligence will be done on them (Merrill Lynch) and anyone else, so as to ensure we don’t expose ourselves to undue risk.” The Central Bank head also stated that he and his team have taken careful note of last Sunday’s edition of this newspaper, which exposed aspects of Merrill Lynch’s troubling past. This newspaper reported that the American firm has been at the heart of several bribery investigations and has been fined billions of dollars for fraud, misusing customer’s cash and exposing its clients to great financial risk.
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo
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Friday December 21, 2018
Guyana challenged to increase access to education for Venezuelan refugees United Nations (UN) officials are asking Guyana and other countries in the region to provide more access to education services to Venezuelans who are fleeing economic and political turmoil. UNHCR, the UN’s Refugee Agency, has issued a special action plan for Venezuelan refugees that set targets for the Caribbean for 2019. Child protection and increased access to education are key priorities. The action plan sets out that children and youth, including those traveling without family members or care-givers, will have access to protection, appropriate care, and inclusive quality
education services. “A community-based approach will be applied, in conjunction with specialized case management, to ensure access to education and social services and protection according to the best interests of the child principle,” the U.N states. Providing an assessment of the current situation, the U.N notes that the lack of or limited access to formal schooling is leaving many Venezuelan children without education, exacerbating their exposure to various protection risks, including negative coping mechanisms. The U.N estimates that a Caribbean response in 2019 will cost, at minimum, US
$34M, based on the projection that the refugee and migrant population from Venezuela will grow to around 222,000 by the end of 2019, with irregular arrivals expected to continue. Officials are keen to galvanize support for Guyana and other countries in the region Among this population, around 177,500 refugees and migrants from Venezuela are estimated to require assistance throughout the upcoming year. It is also estimated that US $10.1M, the largest chunk of the overall financial needs, is required for direct emergency assistance. The U.N cautioned that a
scale-up of the direct emergency and protection response, as well as increased support for socio-economic and cultural inclusion mechanisms, is urgently required to complement governments’ efforts and to ensure communities continue to receive refugees and migrants from Venezuela. Regionally, the report noted that in recent years Aruba, C u r a ç a o , t h e Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago have been hosting growing numbers of refugees and migrants from Venezuela. It is estima t e d t h a t around 147,000 individuals will have arrived by air, land, and sea by the end of 2018,
including some returnees in Guyana. The agency notes that there is a need in some states to develop or improve standard operating procedures for registration, identification, documentation and referral of victims of
human trafficking. Access to sufficient food and nutrition, safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, and safe shelter are reported to be the most pressing needs by refugees and migrants from Venezuela in the sub-region.
Sophia wife killer get 15 years for manslaughter Melroy Simpson was yesterday sentenced to 15 years in jail for the unlawful killing of reputed wife, Carmelita Jones. Simpson had admitted to the unlawful killing of his 25year-old reputed wife when the matter came up for trial at the High Court before Justice James Bovell Drakes on December 6, last. Simpson, now 40, was initially indicted for the murder which occurred on September, 26, 2012. He however pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. Following the reading of a probation report yesterday, the accused was sentenced for unlawful killing. In handing down the sentence, the Judge took into consideration a number of mitigating factors including the early guilty plea, and the time the accused served in prison pending his trial. The Judge also took into consideration the age of the victim and the conduct of the accused during his incarceration. Taking into consideration, the age of the victim, the Judge deducted 25 years from the sentence which started with a base of 50 years and another 10 years was deducted for the guilty plea which brought the sentence to 15 years. According to the facts of the case, Jones, 25, of ‘B’ Field Sophia, was badly burnt about her body by Simpson following an argument over a pack of milk which he thought
Sentenced, Melroy Simpson was given to her by another man. The incident occurred on September 18, 2012. Simpson had thrown a flammable substance on the woman while she was holding a lighted lamp. The mother of four succumbed at around 20:00 on September, 26, 2012. She had received severe burns on her neck, hands, back, abdomen, and right foot. Prior to the woman’s demise, Simpson was charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm. He had appeared before the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Courts where he pleaded not guilty and was granted $200,000 bail. However, the charge against him was upgraded to murder after Jones succumbed.
Friday December 21, 2018
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Venezuela/Guyana Border Controversy...
US$3.7M expended on legal fees – Greenidge The controversy surrounding Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region is being worked through smoothly and will have a suitable resolution in reasonable time. This is according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, who held a press conference yesterday. The Minister said that the “main event of interest as 2018 broke was the discussion with the Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General intended to be a last effort to resolve the controversy arising from Venezuela’s contention that the 1899 Treaty is null and void”. Greenidge explained that the matter has progressed on a path that points to a conclusion in a reasonable time. He said that, up until the referral of the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), “we had been placed in a cul-de-sac by our neighbour,” Venezuela, who Greenidge described as intransigent. Despite the stubborn nature of Venezuela, Minister Greenidge looks favourably
on the decision of the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, because he expects the rule of law to prevail. Guyana, however, had placed itself on alert when two Russian bombers capable of carrying long-range nuclear missiles, were docked in Venezuela last week Monday. Venezuelan Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino, had said that the deployment of the planes were nothing to be alarmed about; that they’re a part of routine air force exercises with its Russian allies. A release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Guyana’s commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes. The latest significant matter relating to the border controversy was when Guyana submitted the matter to the International Court of Justice, to confirm, in a final judgment, the validity of the arbitrary award that established the international boundary between Venezuela and Guyana, more than a century ago. In January of this year, Guterres, acting under the
authority granted to him by the Geneva agreement, chose adjudication by the court as the means for the resolution of the controversy, with finality. Guyana had commenced proceedings before the court in accordance with the Secretary General’s decision. Guyana had filed its memorial in accordance with the order of the court dated June 19, 2018, that determined it would first resolve the question of the court’s jurisdiction in light of Venezuela’s refusal to participate in the proceedings based on its claim that the court lacks jurisdiction. Guyana’s submission accordingly sets out how the boundary with Venezuela was established by an arbitral tribunal provided for in a treaty concluded by Venezuela and Great Britain in 1897. Venezuela accepted this unanimous award, which was rendered by five jurists in 1899, and participated in a joint commission to demarcate the boundary on the ground, then insisted on the award’s strict implementation. Only decades later did Venezuela, in anticipation of (Continued on page 16)
Shaded Region of Guyana’s territory, which Venezuela has laid claim to
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418 new CPCE graduates to help boost delivery of education More than 400 teachers will shortly be plugged into the public education system having been a part of the 84th Graduation Exercise of the Cyril Potter College of Education [CPCE] which was convened at the National Cultural Centre yesterday. The graduating batch of 418 included: 76 are Early Childhood trained, 115 are Primary trained, 223 are Secondary trained and four trained to teach in Post-Secondary institutions. According to CPCE Principal, Ms. Viola Rowe, 13 graduates passed with distinction, 403 with credit and two achieved passes. The Overall Best Graduating student is Ms. Annamarie Isserdeen Samaroo of the Region Three Vreed-en-Hoop centre. She received the Presidential Award of Excellence and the Prime Minister’s Prize. One major highlight of this graduating class is that five students have graduated with an Associate Degree in Information Technology. Rowe expressed her utmost confidence in the graduates as she assured those in attendance that the institution has strictly adhered to the entry criteria for each programme. The programmes from
which students graduated are the two-year Associate Degree programme, the threeyear Trained Teachers’ Certificate programme for the Hinterland and Riverine Centres and the oneyear Associate Degree in Education programme. In her Principal’s report, Rowe said that during the current reporting period [2017 – 2018] another location [the North Pakaraimas, Region Eight] would have been exposed to Teacher Education and Training. This, she said, was achieved with the resuscitation of the Paramakatoi Centre. Further, she disclosed that it was projected that the College would design and implement an effective system of monitoring and evaluation which would include a strategy of the use of the staff appraisal instrument in all satellite centres. “This approach allows for gaps, limitations and strengths to be identified across centres,” Rowe explained. She said too that the results would be used to inform the type and nature of development activities necessary at the individual centre and institution. According to Rowe, this system was introduced in the reporting period in all satellite centres on the coast.
CPCE Principal, Ms. Viola Rowe. Delivering the feature address at the graduation ceremony was Prime Minister and First Vice-President, Moses Nagamootoo. He told the graduates that they are graduating at a very exciting time in their life, when Guyana is transitioning into a higher and richer society. As such, he said that greater opportunities will be available. Moreover, he urged them to continue to develop and to quantify their learning adding, “The world, the horizon is unlimited for you to develop but Cyril Potter [College of Education] is the be-
ginning and it has been an excellent foundation for you to go out there with confidence.” He encouraged the teach-
ers to be exemplary in their profession and to embrace the code of conduct that governs the noble professions as it relates to decorum and behaviour around students, since those under their charge will seek to emulate their elders. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, was Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development [NCERD], Ms. Jennifer Cumberbatch. In her presentation, she said that it is heart-warming to witness the strengthening of the pillar of education and to welcome the new cohorts of teachers graduating from the CPCE. She said, “With your new qualifications you will be equipped to take your place as grade one, class one teachers of the new generation of
Guyanese youth.” Cumberbatch said that government is committed to changing the educational landscape of Guyana and that the CPCE is a fundamental part of that change. “With increased investments and improvements to the infrastructure, curriculum and courses, the priority is to provide modern facilities with new equipment, enhanced training and review courses, so as to cater for our 21st century needs.” Adding to the highlights mentioned by the Principal, Ms. Cumberbatch said that several meaningful improvements were made at the college. These improvements include: procurement of fumes cupboards, increased water supply to dormitories, provision of meals to non-resident students and the (Continued on page 27)
Jagdeo taunts SOCU Former President Bharrat Jagdeo is almost begging the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) to go after him and other People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) officials who benefitted from the controversial distribution of large portions of high valued land at Ogle (Pradoville). SOCU’s contention is that the lands were given to ‘chosen ones’ for a price less than the real value. As such, SOCU recently laid 19 charges against former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali as the plots of land were distributed by him. At his most recent press conference, Jagdeo said, “They have laid charges against Irfaan. But, they have not laid charges against any of the other beneficiaries. Why?” Jagdeo is one of the beneficiaries. On many occasions, Jagdeo said that SOCU has no clue what it is doing. In fact, at his press conference, Jagdeo exuded confidence that the charges will not translate to any conviction.
He said that it is just a plot by the coalition to distract the nation from the “real issues” at hand. Further, Jagdeo said that the coalition is so scared of the PPP that it is instructing that charges be laid against potential presidential candidates. He said that he will not allow any of these tactics to scare him into shying away from selecting a candidate that will suit the post. As he built upon his point that only potential candidates are being charged, Jagdeo said, “Look, Anil Nandlall is being taken to court for a few law books. They are spending all this money, millions of dollars behind special prosecutors and so on, to go after law books worth a couple hundred thousand…This is how petty they are.” Jagdeo continued, “And again I ask, why they haven’t charged any of the beneficiaries for the Pradoville lands. The only reason Pradoville is so important to them is because I live there, that is the
only reason.” Last month, Ali was hauled before the court and slapped with 19 fraud charges. The former minister is accused of defrauding Government of over $174 M, by selling several plots of State lands, below the market value, to former ministers of the then PPP/C government. Representing Ali are Attorneys Devindra Kissoon, Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand, Jaya Manickchand and Sase Gunraj. Ali was not required to plead to the 19 indictable charges and was released on his own recognizance (self bail). The charges against Ali stated that between the period 2011 and 2015, he conspired with persons unknown to defraud the Government, when he acted recklessly by selling19 plots of State Lands at Plantation Sparendaam and Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara. The lands which were sold for a mere $39.8M, are valued at $212.4M, according to SOCU.
Venezuela/Guyana Border... From page 15 Guyana’s independence, cease recognizing the award’s validity and binding nature, using that pretext to lay claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, dubbed by Venezuela as Guayana Esequiba. To ensure a final resolution to the controversy through peaceful means, the Government of British Guiana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom concluded the Geneva Agreement on 17 February, 1966. That treaty authorizes the United Nations’ Secretary General to decide which of the means listed in the United Nations
charter – which includes binding adjudication by the ICJ – shall be used to resolve the controversy. By agreeing to Article IV of the charter, Venezuela consented to the court’s jurisdiction in the event the Secretary General decides that the controversy should be resolved by the court, which he did. The two decides, according to the court must detail why it should hear the case. Venezuela, the only country left to do so, has until April of 2019. It is important to note that the resurgence of Venezuela’s efforts to claim Guyana’s territory began about the same
time discoveries had started to be announced of high quality oil wells in Guyana’s territory, by Exxon Mobil. Responding to questions posed to him, Minister Greenidge said that Guyana has expended US$3.7M on legal fees to settle its border controversy with Venezuela at the ICJ, taken from the US$18M signing bonus which was received from Exxon in 2016, in addition to the main contract. The government had set aside US$15M from the bonus for legal proceedings at the court, while the remaining US$3M was put aside for training.
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 21, 2018
Life in jail for two Mandir watchman murderers The two men who were on trial for the brutal murder of a watchman in a Mandir at Williamsburg, Corentyne, back in 2013, and were earlier found guilty, have been sentenced to life in prison. They are to serve 45 years before being eligible for parole. Shivnarine Jainarine, called ‘Sammy’ or Samuel, 24, of Train Line Dam, Port Mourant Corentyne, and Ryan Persaud,
called ‘K.K’, 23, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice, were on trial for murdering security guard, Jagdat Ramcharran, called “Ronald”, 61, a father of two, of Bloomfield, Corentyne, Berbice. The incident occurred between January 6, and January 7, 2013. The man’s body was found bound and gagged at the Iskcon Hari Krishna Mandir at Block 6 Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice.
Attorney Mursaline Bacchus represented Jainarine, while Arudranauth Gossai appeared for Persaud. The Prosecutor was Attorney Mandel Moore. The sentences were handed down by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry before whom they appeared in the Berbice High Court. This was following the presentation of Probation reports which were ordered by
the court. The probation report for Jainarine was presented by Senior Probation and Social Services Officer Vadney Schultz. It was related that Jainarine did not have a sound educational background and dropped out of school at age 11, when he began to work. His upbringing was described as unfortunate - due to lack of guidance - as was his involvement in the crime, since he was described as helpful and hardworking. He had dropped out of school to help his family. Senior Probation and Social Services Officer Egla October presented the Probation report for Ryan Persaud. The report mentioned him as having a troubled past. He was described as semi-literate. As a juvenile he was charged with larceny and spent time at a juvenile holding centre. He was still at school when he was arrested for the offence. Whenever complaints were made to the family about Persaud’s behaviour, his mother would hurl insulting remarks. Improvised weapons were found on him while in jail and he was also recorded as hurling abusive and threatening remarks at prison officials. It was noted that family did not want to speak on his behalf, and the deceased man’s family is still hurting - his son is being counselled after exhibiting suicidal tendencies. In his opening address, Moore told the court that Ramcharran was a watchman at the Mandir when the two men along with others broke and entered the place of worship and in the course of committing a burglary, murdered the victim. His bloody and bound body was subsequently discovered, around 03:00 hrs, by a worshipper who visited the temple early morning to worship. After making several calls and getting no response, the worshipper scaled the fence and the watchman was found lying
Shivnarine Jainarine (with tie) and Ryan Persaud on the ground in a bloody state on an adjoining veranda with his hands and feet bound, and the place ransacked. A number of items were missing and the altar was in disarray. The prosecution called a number of witnesses including police officers, the deceased man’s son and worshippers. The caution statements given by the two accused were admitted into evidence. The men had admitted being at the scene of the incident and playing various parts in the crime. The defence had called two witnesses. Attorney Gossai had asked for mercy for the accused and had pointed to his their ages at the time of the incident. He also alluded to the fact that they had spent five years in jail and pointed
to the Probation reports presented. Before passing the sentences separately, Justice Beharry had detailed the men’s involvement in the crime; their admission of the brutality of the crime; the nature and prevalence; the fact that they took advantage of an elderly man; the psychological effect on the family, and the fact that they did not show any remorse. Justice Beharry said “a strong message must be sent and taking into consideration the time spent and the mitigating factors, life in prison is the sentence with parole not before serving 45 years”. Another man, Kevin Hintzen, called ‘Ratty’, 23, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice had earlier this year pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced to 20 years in jail.
Life sentence for Berbice man who raped 13-year-old Fifty-year-old Mohamed Khan who was found guilty of rape committed in 2014, on a child under the age of sixteen, was yesterday sentenced to life imprisonment at the Berbice High Court by Justice Priya Sewnarine Beharry. The victim was 13 years old at the time of the incident. Khan was accused of committing the act on September 29, 2014 in the Upper Corentyne area. He was sentenced after a
probation report was not requested. The judge stated that she took into consideration the physical and psychological trauma the teen would have endured after the incident, and this shaped her decision on the sentence. Khan would be eligible for parole after serving thirty-five years’ imprisonment. Attorneys Suriya Sabsook and Arud Goosai represented him. Upon Khan’s exit from the courtroom he told report-
ers present that “I don’t know nothing about what they charge me for” and that the reporters should “do something about it”. The trial for Khan came to an abrupt halt in 2016 when one of the jurors was seen entering the same car with him. That information was filtered to the then Judge, Justice Brassington Reynolds and an inquiry was conducted. Upon conclusion of the inquiry, a decision was made to abort the case.
Friday December 21, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Local bauxite workers breathe easier ...as US moves to lift Rusal’s sanctions After months of worry, workers of Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) will be breathing a little easier, after news this week that the US will be lifting sanctions on parent company, Rusal. Yesterday, the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Natural Resources said they remain cautiously optimistic, and happy, after learning that the US Government sanctions are heading towards resolution. ”The Ministry has been monitoring this unfolding saga for several months, and making necessary interventions, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has provided quiet diplomatic
support, and is pleased that following a series of extensions that led to the postponement of the enforcement of the sanctions, a permanent and favourable resolution is in sight.” The ministry said that it continues to ensure that bauxite is mined and shipped to the benefit of workers and their families, and by extension, the national economy. The Ministry also disclosed that the Ministry of Social Protection, charged by the President, and directed by the Cabinet, will be responsible for addressing the ongoing, and future, labour issues and guard workers’ rights. Rusal owns 90% of the
Aroaima, Berbice-based Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI). It employs over 500 persons at its operations on the Berbice River between Kwakwani and Linden with the majority being Guyanese. “These workers have continuously expressed their concern about the impact of these sanctions on the company and them. In a statement from the company on Thursday, it maintained that it “will do everything necessary to return the company to regular working conditions”. In April 2018, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on billionaire Rusal majority shareholder, Oleg Deripaska, aluminum giant United Co.
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, talking to Rusal workers earlier this year.
Rusal workers will breathe easier after news that sanctions will be lifted.
418 new CPCE graduates to help... From page 16 resuscitation of the Teachers’ Upgrading Programme in Region Eight. Teachers for the upgrading programme were drawn from 18 villages in Region Eight, sub-region one. These include: Paramakatoi, Chiung Mouth, Bamboo Creek,
Chenapau, Itabac, Kaibarupai, Kurukubaru, Kanapang, Kopinang, Kamana, Monkey Mountain, Waipa, Tuseneng, Kato and Karisparu, Maikwak, Taruka. During the graduation exercise, a tribute was given to the late Principal Olive Lyken who was the
first female principal of the college. She served from 1974 to 1979. The tribute was given by Sergeant First Class [Retired] Albert J. Bentick, BMus. of the United States Army. He had attended the institution when Lyken served as Principal.
Rusal, and other companies he owns shares, citing “malign activities”. This has since triggered turmoil in global aluminum markets, seeing prices elevating to as much as 20%. The agreement reached by the parties outline that sanctions on the company would only be lifted if Mr. Deripaska would significantly lower his stake in the company, which, it is reported, has been agreed.
According to official reports, the US Treasury Department is convinced that companies in which Deripaska owns shares, have committed to significantly diminish and sever his control, hence their move to remove financial restrictions on Rusal and other groups in which he owns majority shares. The companies will be subject to ongoing compliance and will face severe consequences if
they fail to comply. The move is set to take effect in 30 days. In Guyana, the sanctions had affected production with the shipping company, Oldendorff Carriers, announcing its pullout a few months ago, in the face of being sanctioned also if it did business with Rusal. Government had established a task force which workers said had not met often.
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Kaieteur News
Friday December 21, 2018
Friday December 21, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Guyana improves on Global Terrorism Index
G
uyana has man aged to perform well enough to currently rank 128 from 117 last year in the Global Terrorism Index of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), a global thinktank headquartered in Sydney, Australia. The country’s score on the index, where lower is better, went from 0.154 in 2017 to 0.076 in 2018, a more than 50 per cent improvement. On a list of categorizations, where 8-10 is listed as Very High and 0.000 is listed as No Impact, Guyana’s risk of terrorism was listed as very low, the best of any CARICOM state and the second best in South America, behind Bolivia, which poses no terrorist threat or contribution to terrorism. The most notable changes made by Guyana, with relation to terrorism, in 2018, is the amendment to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act Bill in July last, the fourth amendment to the legislation in three years. Among the changes the bill was meant to effect is the dismantling of the AntiMoney Laundering Authority, to be replaced by the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of
Terrorism and Proliferation Financing National Coordination Committee (AML/CFT/ PF). Attorney General Basil Williams had noted that the amendments for the coordination of the committee would satisfy a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendation - that countries should designate an authority to have a coordination or other mechanism that is responsible for national (AML/CFT/PF) policies. According to the bill, some of the functions of the committee include the development of the national AML/ CFT/PF policies informed by the risks identified by the National Risk Assessment (NRA) and to develop a national action plan, which includes recommendations on effective mechanisms to enable the competent authorities in Guyana to cooperate and coordinate with each other concerning the development and implementation of policies and activities to combat money laundering terrorist financing and proliferation financing. Additional information provided in the Global Terrorism Index states that countries with Very High risk contribution to global terrorism
Guyana has no need for Merrill... From page 8 Merrill Lynch had lied to its customers regarding the pricing of RMBS. Traders and salespeople working for the firm were able to convince customers to overpay for the securities by lying about how much they had paid for them. On top of this, the same traders and salespeople massively overcharged for commissions. The SEC noted that, in some cases, they received double what they should have. Merrill Lynch will be charged as these traders and salespeople violated antifraud securities laws. The
SEC found that the company did not fulfill its supervisory duties and was therefore unable to prevent the lawbreaking from occurring. The company did not admit or deny any of the investigation’s findings. Instead, it agreed to pay a $5.2 million fine to the SEC and pay back $10.5 million to the customers involved in the fraudulent transactions.
are Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria, Pakistan and Somalia. Unfortunately, Guyana’s
placed close to Guyana, at Rank 125. Notably, Venezu-
Caribbean partner, Jamaica, made one of the most significant jumps, moving backward, landing at 94 on the ranking. Trinidad and Tobago
ela, currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis which sparked mass migration in every direction, fell back one place to rank 55.
The only country of the Americas, listed as a High to Very High Threat is the United States of America, moving backward 12 places to rank 20. The country has experienced widespread cases of harassment and assault by emboldened white supremacists, white nationalists and neo-nazis since Donald Trump assumed the presidency in 2016. The country has also seen an increase in school shootings, though it has been disputed whether those incidents are considered as terrorism. The Global Terrorism index states that defining terrorism is not a straightforward matter, because there is no single, internationally accepted definition of what constitutes terrorism. The GTI
has settled on the definition that terrorism is ‘the threatened or actual use of illegal force and violence by a nonstate actor to attain a political, economic, religious or social goal through fear, coercion or intimidation. The global terrorism index ranks 163 countries based on four indicators weighted over five years. A country’s annual GTI score is based on a unique scoring system to account for the relative impact of incidents in the year. The factors counted in each country’s yearly score are the total number of terrorist incidents in a given year, the total number of fatalities caused by terrorists, total number of injuries caused by terrorists, and the measure of total property damage from terrorist incidents.
PAGE 30
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Friday December 21, 2018
Kaieteur News
Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 Diamond New Scheme, 5th Avenue Double lot (Million Dollar area) $9.2M. Tel#6039700 3/4 Acre in Kuru Kuru opposite the monument with water, light & foundation. Tel#669-6320, serious inquiry only! Parfaite Harmonie main road 2.2M, 1.4M, Province 4M Farm 5.5M, Tuschen, Diamond 2st 7.5M, 5st 4.5M. Call 666-2326 ENTERTAINMENT Big G Sounds is available for small events. (Wedding, Small BBQ, Birthday parties etc) Contact numbers #661-9931/ 622-5713/672-9293
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GPHC CEO decries attitude of some healthcare workers …training in place to curb the issue The attitude of some nurses, doctors, as well as other significant health care personnel, to patients in public health facilities within Guyana, has long since been a matter of concern for the country’s populace. In fact, poor attitude has been pegged as a major issue within the public health fraternity. It poses not only as a risk to the way in which society views public health facilities, but also further endangers the lives of patients. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Retired Brigadier George Lewis, in recognizing this, has decried the above mentioned behaviour of these healthcare personnel towards patients, and further stated that mechanisms are being put in place to curb the unacceptable behaviour. “The behavior of not only nurses but of healthcare workers in general has not been one that is acceptable.” Lewis stressed that while many health care workers may have negative attitudes towards the patients, it does not negate the fact that there are also committed health care givers who should be lauded within the system. Recognizing that these few persons with questionable attitudes towards patients may be held culpable for the perception of the hospital, Lewis stated that training programmes are being put in place for all imme-
Three more witnesses testify in Bourda cheese vendor murder PI Three more witnesses yesterday testified in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of popular Bourda cheese vendor, Troy Ramalho, who was shot and
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diate health care workers. “In every barrel there might be one or two bad apples and we are working to address that,” he said. Nonetheless, GPHC does not expect the changes among these healthcare providers to take effect overnight. A period has been allotted, starting from the time of training, to assess its effects in the changing of attitudes towards patients. Lewis elucidated that the training of healthcare workers has begun and is expected to produce a reduction of complaints from patients. “Through training, we are looking at letting the persons understand what the acceptable behaviour is and what we expect from them. And we think that by providing training, it will help to alleviate the situation.” It was noted that the training of healthcare personnel will be tackled both within and outside of the system, with customer service training being done locally at the GPHC, and in some cases facilitators will be brought from outside of the Hospital. Furthermore, a number of other programmes are ongoing at the Accident and Emergency Department. These programmes are working in tandem with Vanderbilt University in the United States, created within the pretext of helping Emergency nurses when it comes to professionalism, behaviour, attitude, knowledge, etc.
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killed while plying his trade. Three persons have been charged with the murder and are currently on trial before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Royce Sandiford, a 33year-old labourer; Akeem Morris, 26, a miner, of 40 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty; and George Paton, 34, a taxi driver of 177 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara, were not required to plead to the charge which stated that on August 15, last, at Robb Street, Bourda, Lacytown, they murdered Troy Ramalho during the course of a robbery. Yesterday when the matter was called before the Chief Magistrate, City Police Roger Harmon, along with police constables Andre Gittens and Ryan Pollard testified as part of the prosecution case. The witnesses gave brief testimonies and were crossexamined by the lawyers (Continued on page 31)
Friday December 21, 2018
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Kaieteur News
‘Guyanese welcome’ for incoming CJIA passengers Hundreds of incoming passengers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) were greeted with a ‘Guyanese welcome’, courtesy of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). The visitors were delightedly surprised as they received a taste of traditional Guyanese black cake. The initiative is an annual exercise carried out by the GTA. Marketing and Communications Officer,
Chevon Lim said that over the past few days several teams have fanned out across the country at other ports of entry to welcome visitors in true Guyanese fashion, and to spread C h r i s t m a s c h e e r, t h e s e include Moleson Creek Crossing and the Ogle International Airport. “This is to spread C h r i s t m a s c h e e r, s h o w visitors that we are hospitable and to share our tradition of black cake” Lim stated.
A d d i t i o n a l l y, Lim explained that the initiative also helps improve tourism in the country. “We have been doing it for a number of years and, of course, it is a great booster especially with the word of mouth, people return and tell others, come to Guyana you have this warm welcome” Lim said. She also highlighted the similar exercises are conducted on National Holidays celebrated in Guyana.
Three lucky recipients receive free mailboxes … as part of GPOC’s sensitisation campaign
Passengers being given a Christmas welcome at CJIA
Khashoggi Murder: Saudi Arabia announce plans to reform security agencies
Virgil Moore, Simone Sooknanan and Cicely Clark, the first three lucky recipients of mailboxes from GPOC. Three lucky homeowners, on Wednesday, received the first of 100 free mailboxes as part of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC)’s mailbox sensitisation campaign. Launched earlier this year, the initiative aims to help reduce the high volume of returned mail to post offices across the country, due to the absence of mailboxes. Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes said the GPOC has provided over 225 years of service and will continue to make changes to effectively serve its customers. “This time the change we are trying to implement, we cannot do successfully without the assistance of citizens of Guyana, and that is why we are trying to make our postal service more efficient with your help… We need your full cooperation and support so that we can deliver your mail safely and securely,” the minister ex-
plained. Minister Hughes said the initiative also aims to ensure the safety of the corporation’s mailmen and women. She also highlighted that the corporation is also keen to promote small mailbox businesses for those who wish to have their work on display. “To the young and old entrepreneurs, if you are making postboxes please contact the GPOC, because we are willing to help you get your product to the people. If you produce a quality product for a cost-effective price, people would buy your mailbox… We have had some innovative young people that have beautiful designs for mailboxes; some more expensive than others, but we are willing to display these innovative and creative boxes,” Minister Hughes said. Those chosen reside in District ‘A’ which includes Georgetown and were randomly selected after a survey was conducted regarding
residents without mailboxes. Thus far, some 1,704 mailboxes have been placed at various locations across the country. It was highlighted that the corporation’s operations are divided into six districts, Areas ‘A’ to ‘F’ and the managers in all districts will randomly select recipients in the coming weeks to receive free mailboxes. Postmaster General Karen Brown expressed appreciation to everyone who has been supportive of the initiative, noting that the ministry has gone ‘the extra mile’ to help the corporation achieve its goal of reducing the large volume of returned mail. “GPOC saw it necessary to aid in this regard, it is the Christmas season, and what better way to promote this campaign than just simply giving back to the public to show continuous support throughout the years and to encourage you to have those mailboxes mounted,” Brown said.
Middle East Eye - Saudi Arabia announced yesterday plans to create new government bodies to improve the country’s intelligence operations which have been scrutinised internationally after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. King Salman ordered a restructuring of the intelligence service in October after the authorities, following initial denials, acknowledged that Khashoggi had been killed inside the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate by a team of Saudi intelligence and security agents. Saudi officials have said, without providing proof, that the 15-man team was put together by the deputy head of the General Intelligence Presidency, Ahmed al-Asiri, whom the king fired along with royal adviser Saud alQahtani. In October, an intelligence source told Middle East Eye (MEE) that the 15-man team, dubbed the Tiger squad, is well-known to the US intelligence services and formed more than a year ago. Although MEE was not able to confirm the information disclosed, the source was independently verified and tasked with covertly assassinating Saudi dissidents inside the kingdom and on foreign soil. The new government departments - for strategy and development, legal affairs, and performance evaluation and internal review - are meant to ensure that intelligence operations align with national security policy, international law and human rights trea-
The security agencies were created by Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman ties, state news agency SPA reported. They were created by a committee headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s defence minister. He has denied accusations of ordering the hit against Khashoggi, a royal insider who became a critic of the crown prince. We s t e r n a l l i e s h a v e called on Riyadh to hold those responsible for the murder accountable. The Saudi public prosecutor is seeking the death penalty for five suspects, as the kingdom tries to contain its biggest political crisis for a generation.
The U.S. Senate last week blamed Prince Mohammed for the murder, in a rare rebuke to President Donald Trump, who has said he wants Washington to stand by the 33year-old de facto leader, despite a CIA assessment it was likely he ordered the killing. The vote last Thursday, however, was largely symbolic. To become law, they would need to pass the House of Representatives, whose Republican leaders have blocked any legislation intended to rebuke the Saudis.
Three more witnesses testify in Bourda cheese vendor... From page 30 representing the defendants. The Prosecution is being led by Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers. The matter was then adjourned to January 3, 2019. According to information, Ramalho was sitting on
a bench at his business place, and had just finished selling a customer when three men walked up to him and he was shot. Ramalho fell to the ground and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
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Wills Electrical Services supports Windies will lift game for decider: Brathwaite UDFA/GT Beer Tourney One of the thriving businesses in Linden, Wills Electrical Services has thrown its behind the Upper Demerara Football Association / GT Beer championship which is currently underway. Recently, Proprietor Mr. Eon Wills handed over the cash donation to Public Relations Officer of the UDFA, Mrs. Verona Hunter who expressed appreciation for the kind gesture; “On behalf of the UDFA, we would like to express thanks to Wills Electrical Services for being on board with us for this year ending tournament.”
Mr. Eon Wills hands over donation to Mrs. Verona Hunter.
Friday December 21, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) There are days when you should take everything with a grain of salt. Today you may realize how important it is to gain the appreciation and respect of a certain person. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You shouldn't even try to find a reasonable explanation for what goes on around you today. There isn't one. Be carried by the tides of emotions from the past that run through your body and soul. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you may ask yourself if you're satisfied. How is your personal life? Do people live up to your standards or are you always left feeling dissatisfied? CANCER(June21–July22) Nothing is simple where your family is concerned. If you've forgotten that, don't worry. Today will remind you. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You like to give people advice and help them find direction in their lives - sometimes when they haven't even asked. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may put your integrity under the microscope today. We all have deep convictions that we would never let go of. But society pressures us, and it isn't always easy to live in perfect harmony with our ideals. The question to ask yourself today is just how willing are you to change
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your freedom is more important to you than anything else in your life. It's often very difficult for you to get involved, whether personally or professionally. Nevertheless, today you may have to think about it. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Certain very narrowminded people may get on your nerves. You're lucky enough to be an open, tolerant person. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you will be able to explore the power of your emotions. Don't try and fight what you call your "oversensitivity." CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Capricorn, you feel secure in the warmth and depth of your emotions. Today you will have the opportunity to reenergize and regenerate yourself from the inside out. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The atmosphere may seem a bit oppressive today. You like to be free to do what you want to do, and it may bother you that the people around you don't make themselves available to you. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may feel a bit tied down today. It won't necessarily be a bad day, but you may wonder about certain aspects of your family life. Don't try and kid yourself. You should think hard about what you want for your family
Dhaka, Bangladesh, CMC – Skipper Carlos Brathwaite he said he hoped West Indies could be at their best for tomorrow’s decider, after conceding they were not up to scratch in yesterday’s 36-run defeat in the second Twenty20 International. Sent in, Bangladesh posted a 211 for four off their 20 overs – the highest-ever T20 total on home soil – and West Indies folded for 175 with four balls remaining, to leave the three-match series tied at 1-1. The hosts grabbed the early advantage courtesy of Liton Das who smashed 60 from 34 balls, posting 42 for the first wicket with Tamim Iqbal (15) and a further 68 for the second with Soumya Sarkar (32). When three wickets fell for 10 runs in the space of 12 balls, Mahmudullah (43 not out) and captain Shakib-alHasan (42 not out) combined in an unbroken 91-run, fifth wicket stand to give the in-
nings a rousing finish. ”I don’t think that we got it right in the first six [overs] so we were always chasing the game,” Brathwaite said afterwards. ”But when you say ‘A’ you have to say ‘B’, credit must go to the Bangladeshi batsmen. Obviously Liton Das chanced his arm early, got away, got a decent score and then Mahmudullah and Shakib kept the momentum right to the end. ”We didn’t bowl as well as we wanted but if I’m to be brutally honest, we still thought they were 10, 15 runs short with how good the wicket was. I guess we could’ve been a bit tighter with our plans but you must give credit where credit is due and I think they batted brilliantly.” West Indies were at fault in the field, missing a couple of chances in an undisciplined effort which fell short of their quality showing in the opening T20 International earlier this week. Brathwaite put the performance down to an “off night”, however, prom-
ising West Indies would lift their standard for the all-important match at the same venue. ”We didn’t have our best day in the field but that doesn’t mean we’re a bad fielding team,” he stressed. “We’re still as good a fielding team as we were in the first game. That display was excellent, we just had an off night tonight. We should bring our A-game come the last game and try to win the series 2-1.”
Naming rights part... From page 35 just be an oasis, so to speak, and then around it is just terrible,” said Williams. “Once the municipality is providing that designation, there come with it certain types of benefits. But also, with this increase in activities, you will find, as well, that the community is welcome to participate, but it will also find jobs. ”Cricket matches provide temporary employment relief, but once you have us establish that entertainment zone, then that relief is no longer temporary. It is extensive.”
USOC prized... From page 36 attention. A Senate subcommittee looking into the Nassar scandal last week said it would ask the FBI to determine whether former U.S. Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Scott Blackmun had made false statements to the panel. USOC CEO Sarah Hirshland expressed gratitude for the House committee’s report and said athlete safety was now the body’s No. 1 priority. “Sexual abuse, harassment and discrimination have no place in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic community, and it’s on all of us – member organizations, institutions, and individuals alike – to foster a healthy culture for competitive excellence,” Hirshland said. The USOC said it had strengthened its athlete safety programs, elevated the voices of athletes in shaping USOC and NGB policies and begun evaluating and reforming how the USOC engages with NGBs and athletes. ”We will continue to do the work necessary to develop a healthy culture that keeps athletes safe and allows them to be their very best,” it said.
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NBA roundup: Rockets sink record 26 3-pointers James Harden continued his torrid scoring but received plenty of help as the Houston Rockets set an NBA single-game record by sinking 26 3-pointers in a 136-118 victory over the visiting Washington Wizards on Wednesday. Harden scored 35 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 6-of-11 success on 3point attempts, to lead the Rockets to their fifth consecutive victory. Houston shot 55.3 percent overall, drilling 26 of 55 3point tries. With the outcome well in hand and Houston reserves on the floor, the partisan crowd begged for 3pointers in the waning moments until Michael CarterWilliams sank the recordbreaker with 31.1 seconds remaining. With nine assists, Harden finished just shy of posting a double-double, a feat accomplished by teammates Clint Capela (20 points, 12 rebounds) and P.J. Tucker (11 points, 11 rebounds). Chris Paul added 21 points and eight assists. Bradley Beal led Washington with 28 points. Jazz 108, Warriors 103 Rudy Gobert stopped a Golden State run with a late dunk, and Utah used superior 3-point shooting to record a victory in Salt Lake City. Jae Crowder, Joe Ingles and Kyle Korver combined for 13 3pointers, helping the Jazz outscore the Warriors 48-30 from beyond the arc en route to a win that evened the season series at a win apiece. The Jazz held the Warriors scoreless over the final 1:13, including a missed 3-point attempt by Kevin Durant that could have tied the score.
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dunks the ball during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Ingles finished with a teamhigh 20 points, Crowder had 18, and Gobert and Donovan Mitchell added 17 apiece for the Jazz, who won their fourth straight at home. Stephen Curry put up a game-high 32 points and Durant added 30 for the Warriors, who had won their previous four road games. Raptors 99, Pacers 96 Fred VanVleet made a 3pointer with 25.9 seconds to play to give injury-depleted Toronto a one-point lead, and the Raptors overcame a 17point deficit to defeat visiting Indiana. Kawhi Leonard had 28 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals for the Raptors, who had lost their two previous games. Pascal Siakam had 17 points and seven rebounds, Greg Mon-
roe added 13 points and eight rebounds and VanVleet had 11 points. Victor Oladipo scored 20 points for the Pacers, who have lost two in a row after winning seven straight. Thunder 132, Kings 113 Forced into an expanded role thanks to a pair of suspensions, Paul George turned in yet another big-time performance for Oklahoma City by scoring 43 points in a win at Sacramento. While George started in his typical spot, he also served as the Thunder ’s backup point guard after the NBA levied one-game suspensions to Dennis Schroder and Raymond Felton earlier in the day. Russell Westbrook had his eighth triple-double of the season (19 points, 11
rebounds, 17 assists). Buddy Hield scored a career-high 37 points for Sacramento, hitting seven 3-pointers. De’Aaron Fox added 28 points and 12 assists in the loss. Suns 111, Celtics 103 Kelly Oubre Jr. bombed in a 3-pointer with 49.9 seconds left in his Phoenix debut, helping the Suns hold on to beat host Boston. In running their winning streak to four games, the Suns fell immediately behind 11-2 before pulling ahead by as many as six in the second quarter and eight in the third. The win at Boston was Phoenix’s first since November 2014. Kyrie Irving led the Celtics with game highs in points (29) and assists (10). Pistons 129, Timberwolves 123 (OT) Blake Griffin poured in 34 points, Reggie Bullock had a career-high 33, and Detroit topped Minnesota at Minneapolis. Reggie Jackson contributed 24 points and six assists for the Pistons while Andre Drummond supplied 16 points and 16 rebounds. Drummond’s basket in the final second of regulation sent the game to overtime. Derrick Rose had 33 points and seven assists to lead Minnesota. Robert Covington tossed in 22 points, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins added 16 apiece. Bucks 123, Pelicans 115 Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to help Milwaukee post a victory over visiting New Orleans. Malcolm Brogdon added 16 points and seven rebounds, and Khris Middleton had 14 points for the Bucks, who
won for the fifth time in the past six games. Anthony Davis registered 27 points and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes for the Pelicans despite missing the second quarter and the first half of the third due to illness. Jrue Holiday had 25 points and 12 assists for New Orleans. 76ers 131, Knicks 109 Joel Embiid had 24 points and 10 rebounds for his 28th double-double this season, carrying host Philadelphia past New York. Ben Simmons turned in his fourth tripledouble of the season with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the Sixers, who improved to 15-3 at home. Simmons has 16 career tripledoubles, good for second place in franchise history behind only Wilt Chamberlain. Tim Hardaway Jr. paced New York with 27 points while rookie Kevin Knox added 21. Enes Kanter had 15 for the Knicks, who have lost eight of their past nine games. Hornets 110, Cavaliers 99 Kemba Walker snapped out of a recent slump with 30 points, and host Charlotte ended a two-game losing streak by beating Cleveland. Walker erupted for 17 points in the third quarter, when the Hornets outscored the Cavs 41-29 to assume control. The Hornets scored only 41 points in the first half, a season low. Charlotte has won four of its past six. The Cavaliers, who were playing the second night of a back-to-back after winning at Indiana on Tuesday night, were led by Jordan Clarkson’s 20 points. Trail Blazers 99, Grizzlies 92 Damian Lillard scored 24
points to lead Portland past visiting Memphis. Meyers Leonard came off the bench to chip in 12 points and eight rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who won their third consecutive game. Mike Conley scored 23 points and Marc Gasol had 14 points and nine boards for the Grizzlies, who lost their fourth straight game and fell for the sixth time in seven outings. Nets 96, Bulls 93 Joe Harris hit the goahead basket with 43 seconds left as Brooklyn continued its surge with a win at Chicago. Harris’ driving layup off the glass provided the 23rd and final lead change in a gritty defensive battle that also featured 21 ties. The victory was the seventh straight for the Nets, who have the longest active winning streak in the NBA. Spencer Dinwiddie scored a game-high 27 points and Jarrett Allen had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Nets. Dunn scored 24 points for the Bulls, who have lost two straight and 12 of 14. Spurs 129, Magic 90 LaMarcus Aldridge scored 20 points on 6-for-9 shooting in just three quarters of play, and San Antonio stayed hot from 3point territory while posting an easy victory at Orlando. San Antonio has won two straight and six of seven. The loss snapped the Magic’s two-game win streak and denied Orlando a season sweep of the Spurs.Marco Belinelli scored 18 for San Antonio, while DeMar DeRozan and Bryn Forbes added17pointseach. The Spurs outshot the Magic 64.9 percentto38.2percentfromthefloor. D.J. Augustin led the Magic with 17 points.
Naming rights part of JCA Sabina Park plans Kingston, Jamaica, CMC – A possible name change is among a raft of changes which the historic cricket stadium, Sabina Park, could undergo if the Jamaica Cricket Association follow through on its ambitious 10-year redevelopment plan. The JCA are mulling over the acquisition of naming rights similar to what is done internationally and are also plotting some infrastructural changes like the addition of a sports lounge, an accommodation facility and a jogging track on the perimeter of the venue. ”We have given consideration – only given consideration as there’s no direction yet – can we rename Sabina Park?” the Gleaner newspaper here quoted JCA communications and marketing manager,
Garth Williams as saying. ”For example, you have the American Airlines Arena where the Miami Heat play [in the NBA], you have the AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys [in the NFL]. ”Can we look at something like that around Sabina Park? How then do we provide commercial value for those entities who seek to partner with us in that particular kind of way? We believe we are sitting on a gold mine there at Sabina Park.” Sabina Park is one of the Caribbean’s oldest cricket venues, having staged its first Test almost 90 years ago. Located in the country’s capital, Kingston, there have been discussions by authorities on how best to monetise the venue, beyond only cricket.
Investment in the infrastructural changes could only up to JA$25 million but the JCA projects this could result in annual revenue of up to $50 million – well over the current $2 to $4 million at current. ”We already have the space. What it needs now are some minor renovations and then to put the marketing behind it to attract people into the space,” Williams explained about the project. ”This is to ensure that we have all the necessary amenities. We had already come with a certain number of things. We have good, secure parking; we’re accessible. So it’s really more around what we do in the space. ”With this figure, we can get things running and it also includes the marketing
Test venue Sabina Park … could undergo possible name change.
around it. It’s not all the capital expenditure to install the fittings that we need, but also to really pump funds into getting the space popularised.” The accommodation facil-
ity, the Sabina Inn, will be a three-star product aimed at boosting the accommodation capacity at the venue. Further, there are also plans to install replay screens. It is hoped
that Sabina’s enhancement will run parallel with the development of the area so that the city benefits as a whole. ”It’s not that Sabina will (Continued on page 34)
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Kaieteur News
Curacao to Host the 2019 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield
Young Warriors CC receives assistance from Mahaish Ramoutar
- Fruta Conquerors to represent Guyana Miami – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) has announced that Curacao will host the 2019 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield. The competition for amateur Caribbean clubs is scheduled to take place April 5-15, 2019 at the Ergilio Hato Stadium and Dr. Antoine Maduro Stadium, in Willemstad, Curacao. The tournament, which was announced last year and is part of the expanded Concacaf Club Competition Platform, will feature the participation of clubs from 13 different Caribbean Associations, all of whom are working with Concacaf towards a long-term vision to professionalize the club game across the region. ”We are thrilled to celebrate the second edition of the Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield, a tournament which plays a crucial role in the continued growth of our expanded Club Competition Platform,” said Concacaf General Secretary Philippe Moggio. “This tournament, along with the Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship embodies the best of club football in this region and provides Caribbean Associations a direct pathway to the Confederation’s top regional club championships.” The participating clubs for the 2019 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield are (in alphabetical order by Association): Hoppers FC (Antigua & Barbuda), Dakota FC (Aruba), Weymouth Wales (Barbados), SV Real Rincon (Bonaire), Scholars International Sports Club (Cayman Islands), Santiago de Cuba (Cuba), Jong Holland (Curacao), Fruta Conquerors Football (Guyana), Club Sportif Moulien (Guadeloupe), Club Franciscain (Martinique), Platinum Football Club (Saint Lucia), Rams Village Superstars (Saint Kitts & Nevis), SV Robinhood (Suriname). An official draw to sort the participating teams into four groups will take place on Friday, January 11, 2019 at Concacaf Headquarters in Miami. Fans will be able to follow all the action through Concacaf GO. The winner of the 2019 Concacaf Caribbean Shield, provided it ful-
fills the Concacaf Regional Club Licensing criteria, will have the opportunity to face the fourth-place finisher of the 2019 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship in a playoff match to determine the fourth Caribbean representative in the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League. In the inaugural edition of the Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield, Club Franciscain of Martinique was crowned champion with a 2-1 victory over Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe. The Martinique club continued its outstanding 2018 international season by edging Trinidad and Tobago’s Central FC 2-1 in the playoff to secure a spot in its first-ever Scotiabank Concacaf League, where it eventually fell to Nicaraguan side Walter Ferretti on penalties. 2019 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield Date: April 5-15, 2019 Venue: Ergilio Hato Stadium and Dr. Antoine Maduro Stadium, Willemstad, CuracaoCompetition Format: The 13 participating clubs will be sorted into four groups for the Group Stage. After round-robin play, each group winners and runners-up will advance to the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal winners will automatically qualify to the semifinals, and the victorious teams from the semis will participate in the championship final.
USOC prized winning over athlete safety: Congressional report Reuters - The U.S. Olympic community prioritized “medals and money” over the safety of its athletes, creating a culture that contributed to widespread instances of sexual abuse, according to a congressional report released yesterday. The report comes after more than 350 women testified that former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar abused them during his tenure, crimes for which he is now serving an effective life sentence. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s yearlong investigation found a number of failures and breakdowns in the system to protect athletes including how allegations of sexual misconduct were handled by the
Larry Nassar USOC and its National Governing Bodies (NGBs), which run individual sports. ”The culture of the Olympic community must change,” the 132-page report concluded. “The days of ‘medals and money’ must be pushed
to the past. It is critical that the USOC, the NGBs, and all those involved in organized sport recognize that the protection of athletes - the vast majority of whom are minors must be the top priority.” Among other recommendations, the committee said the Olympic community should promote an open dialogue surrounding issues of sexual abuse and that the USOC should develop sanctions for NGBs that do not impact athletes. Yesterday’s report followed law firm Ropes & Gray’s finding earlier this month that top USOC officials failed to share information concerning accusations against Nassar when they were first brought to their (Continued on page 34)
Mahaish Ramoutar (2nd right) hands over the cash to Kwesi Maltay in the presence of Paul Wintz (left) and Coach Hubern Evans. The recently resuscitated Young Warriors Cricket Club )YWCC) is making rapid strides to return to its former glory and the club recently received a boost from Mahaish Ramoutar of Flat Rate Reality, Queens, New York. Ramoutar provided his former club with cash and said he is happy to give back to the organisation from which he has learnt so much and still has fond memories. He also mentioned that he was among the first set of cricketers when the club was formed under Orin Archer’s leadership and is very happy to see its growth over the years, producing some fine players, with the latest being West Indies newest batting sensation, Shimron Hetmyer.
Ramoutar pledged to garner more help for the club from former players and persons from the Cumberland area, now residing in the USA. In response, former national player and coach, Hubern Evans thanked Ramoutar for his kind gesture and urged Guyanese in the New York area to support his business so he can continue to give back to his place of birth. Evans pointed out that it is common that things can take many years to build and can be destroyed easily with poor management, emphasising that the YWCC is a good example. He said that the administrators who took over the club, allowed it to go to the ruins with the tractor destroyed, covers disappeared, pavilion, fence and the entire facility needing ur-
gent repairs. Evans indicated that there is still hope and boasted that since its resuscitation, the club participated in three first division competitions run by the Berbice Cricket Board and booked a place in the finals of all three, a significant achievement. The YWCC has also topped their zone in the NBS second division cricket competition which is now in progress. He thanked the players for their commitment and the hunger they have displayed. Evans also called on former club members and other community minded citizens to come on board and support the club. He encouraged parents to support matches and encourage their children to play cricket.
NBA: Mumbai to host 2019 preseason games in first for India New Delhi (Reuters) - Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings will play two preseason games in Mumbai next year, the first National Basketball Association games to take place in India, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said yesterday. Cricket-mad India has been on the radar of the NBA. The association runs an academy near New Delhi, has arranged the visits of 35 current and former NBA and WNBA players since 2006 and opened an office in Mumbai in 2011. ”Our inaugural NBA India Games will help (unleash) the enormous basket-
ball potential in a country with a thriving sports culture and a growing, young and engaged population,” Silver said in a statement. ”We thank the Kings and Pacers organizations for participating in this historic event.” Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and India Managing Director Yannick Colaco said that NBA would also conduct outreach programs during the matches on Oct. 4 and 5. Fittingly, one of the teams playing the games will be the Kings, which has the NBA’s first Indian-born majority owner and Mumbai-native
Vivek Ranadive as its chairman. “As an Indian-American, it is an honor to help bring this historic moment to the country where I was raised,” Ranadive said in a statement. ”The sport is experiencing tremendous growth in India and we are excited about continuing to expand the NBA’s reach to fans across the globe. “The world wants to watch basketball and India is a fast-growing new frontier.” More than 350 live NBA games are shown in India each season, including 78 with Hindi commentary.
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Friday December 21, 2018
GCB Annual Awards
Sanasie reveals plan for LBI facility; Crandon on Windies Coaching staff Story and photos by Sean Devers
S
peaking to a large gathering at the annual Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Awards Ceremony at the U m a n a Ya n n a , G C B Secretary and Director of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Anand Sanasie, on Wednesday night revealed plans for the LBI Facility and informed that Jaguars Head Coach Esuan Crandon was appointed Assistant Coach of the Windies Senior Team. The audience included Prime Minister Mosses Nagamootoo, Minister with responsibility for Sports Dr. George Norton and Dr. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Guyana’s leading run scorer and centurion at the Test level. Sanasie spoke about the s u c c e s s o f f o u r- t i m e s defending First-Class champions Guyana Jaguars and attributed the success to hard work of the Coaches, the astute leadership of Leon Johnson, the consistent performances of the players but most importantly to the implementation and managing of Franchise system and the Academy contracts. Sanasie also spoke about the success of four-times defending 50-over Regional U-19 Champions, Guyana. ”Since the PCL began in 2015 Guyana has won every year and although without six of our main players Jaguars have won their first two matches in the 2019
season while our U-19 team continues to do well” He also disclosed that the LBI facility which houses the Chetram Singh Dormitory and Indoor Practice Facility is being upgraded to an International standard ground which will be used for Camps and practice matches. ”The ground and Pavilion will soon be completed while phase two of the project will encompass the installation of floodlights so we will have night matches to produce more Guyanese players in the IPL” said Sanasie. The CWI Director also said that Guyana is a blue print for success in cricket and informed that Jaguars Head Coach has been appointed Assistant Coach of the Windies team. Emmanuel Nanthan, Vice-President of CWI and a Dominican Politician, was scheduled to give the feature address but according to Sanasie he got stranded at the airport in Dominica but sent a message. Among the things Nathan said in his message was that Guyana was leading the way in West Indies cricket he wanted come here and learn what Guyana was doing. Acting GCB President Fizul Bacchus provided a detailed account of the local and Regional tournaments for year while Dr. Norton said this was a fantastic year for Guyana. ”We got the CPL playoffs for the time and hosted matches in stand-alone
Women’s World Cup in addition to senior and U-19 teams continuing their dominance” said Dr Norton. Prime Minister Nagamootoo spoke about the importance of cricket to Guyanese and remembered his days at the Whim ground in Corentyne, Berbice. ”Butcher, Soloman, Kanhai all played there and I remember a man called Brother Permaul used to bowl the ‘snake ball’ and two old ladies who never missed a match at whim, they would dance all day” said the PM who is the uncle of Test legspinner Mahendra Nagamootoo and brother Vishal who kept wicket for Guyana. After the presentation of Awards, Stabroek News’ Romario Samaroo, was recognised for his outstanding service as a cricket Journalist in the print Media, produced a brilliantly delivered speech on behalf of t h e Aw a r d e e s w h i c h captured the attention of all those in the historic building. Samaroo began his speech with a quote from Clive Lloyd who said someone once told him that speeches should be like a woman’s dress, long enough to be interesting but short enough to cover the subject, which triggered peals of laughter from the audience. Samaroo said there is a great connection to Guyanese and cricket adding that ‘they are a number of people and things that try to divide us but tonight we are united to recognise hard
GFF/ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival
Sixteen shortlisted to represent Guyana in inaugural tournament The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has shortlisted 16 players to represent Guyana i n t h e f o u r- d a y G F F / E x x o n M o b i l International Futsal Festival scheduled to take place at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from December 27-31. The shortlisted squad was drawn from an initial 45 who have been in training for the past two weeks under the watchful eye of the Head Coach Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson and Technical staff.Among the squad are seasoned Futsal players Daniel Wilson, Andrew Murray and Eusi Phillips along with the two Goalkeepers. Trials for the national selection began on December 8 at the National Gymnasium with players from across Guyana contending for a spot after which a shortlist was done. The festival will kick off with six matches that will be played between the hours of 18:00hrs and 00:00hrs with each match being played on the hour culminating with the final
match at 23:00hrs.The teams, which include Morvant Caledonia United from Trinidad and Tobago, ZV All-Stars from Suriname, and a São Paulo selection from Brazil, will be placed in two groups. The local teams are an East Coast All-Stars, Linden All-Stars, Georgetown All-Stars and West Demerara All-Stars. The winning team will pocket $1.2 million, while the losing finalist will receive half that amount. Third and fourth-placed finishers will pocket $300,000 and $100,000 respectively. Admission to the event will be $1,000. Squad: Deon Alfred, Eon Alleyne, Solomon Austin, Darren Benjamin, Delroy Deane, Okenny Fraser, Travis Grant, Rudy Halley (Goalkeeper), Omar Jones (Goalkeeper), Jermain Junor, Curtez Kellman, Andrew Murray, Colin Nelson, Eusi Phillips, Sheldon Sheppard, Daniel Wilson.
Nat U-19 all-rounder Kevin Sinclair collects one of three Awards from GCB President (ag) Fizul Bacchus. work, dedication and passion. The young Journalist thanked the GCB for their continued recognition of Guyana’s talent in before quoting Alan Armstrong who said that “Champions do not become Champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it” Samaroo said Essequibo, who like the Jaguars, are hungry for the win, dedicated to the game and play as a family and it’s no surprise that they are at the top of Guyana’s cricket winning the 50-over and three -day Franchise. ”Berbice has seen the rewards of more cricket this year alone running off 30 tournaments and their players have excelled while dominating the youth inter-county tournaments a n d t h e f e m a l e tournaments with over 30 players making it to the national level. The support is also there from the public with almost every game played in Berbice having over 200 persons watching and encouraging the players. Samaroo told the gathering that “We must encourage the past players to return to the fold and help build our cricket, imparting their knowledge and experience into the current crop just as my some of my seniors have done for me as a cricket
journalist” ”I believe we can continue to create greatness but only if we all share the same vision and work towards it as one” Samaroo concluded to a rousing applause. The Male Cricketer of the year was won by Shimron Hetmyer ahead of Kemo Paul and Chanderpaul Hemraj who were the other nominees while Shemaine Campbell copped the Female Cricketer of the year ahead of Sheneta Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi who the other nominees. The Best Franchise team of the year was double defending Essequibo while other nominees were West Berbice and Lower Corentyne. The Club of the year surprisingly went to Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club with Rose Hall Youth & Sports Club and GCC being the other two nominees. Special Awardees Sheneta Grimmond – Most promising female Cricketer of the Year Chanderpaul Hemraj Most improved male Cricketer of the Year Kevin Sinclair - Junior Cricketer of the Year Anthony Bramble Senior Regional Cricketer of the Year Mavendra Dindyal Most runs in the Regional U15 Tournament Chanderpaul Ramraj Most wickets in Regional U15 Tournament
Sachin Singh - Most runs in Regional U-17 Tournament Nigel Deodat - Most wickets in Regional U-17 Tournament Sachin Singh - MVP Regional U-17 Tournament Joshua Persaud - Most run in Regional U-19 Tournament Kevin Sinclair - Most wickets in Regional U-19 Tournament Kevin Sinclair - MVP Regional U-19 Tournament Corporate Awards for outstanding contribution to the development of cricket through sponsorship: Handin-Hand Group of Companies, Dave West Indian Imports, Scotia Bank. Special Service Awards Ryan Hercules Dedicated and Outstanding Services as a Cricket Coach of the Year Albert Dass (Head Curator Everest) - Dedicated Service as a Curator Flemroy Lambert Dedicated Service as an Umpire Lusignan Ground - For invaluable contribution to the development and conduct of cricket matches Romario Samaroo - For outstanding Services as a Cricket Journalist in the Print Media Dr Puran Singh - For long and dedicated and unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of Guyanese Cricketers especially during their stay in Barbados.
Kaieteur News
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Friday December 21, 2018
Archery Outdoor Recurve Championship
Robert Singh and Samira Duncan takes Individual male and female gold A r c h e r y G u y a n a ’s Outdoor Recurve Championship Finals on Sunday last at the Carifesta Sports Complex Ground, Robert Singh displayed calm and brilliance to overcome the favoured Umasankar Madray 6-2 to take the Men’s Individual gold medal with Sean Duncan getting past Nicholas Hing 6-2 to secure the bronze medal. In the women’s Individual final, Samira Duncan dominated her peers to take the gold medal from Shereeda Yusuf with the bronze medal going to Narda Mohamed. It was a day of competitive action displayed by the archers. The women semi-final match between Narda Mohamed and Samira Duncan saw the latter securing a spot in the final against Shereeda Yusuf who benefited from a bye due to the no-show of Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon. T h e C a d e t Wo m e n competition was a two person faceoff which was d o m i n a t e d b y Ta l i t h a Kissoon to secure the gold
medal ahead of Jessica Callender. In the men’s quarter finals, Sean Duncan and Jeewanram Persaud produced a tense match where they both tied at 5-5, thus giving onlookers a chance to witness a one arrow shoot off for a tie breaker. Duncan took the opportunity to show his dominance and secured his spot at semi-final. In the other quarter-final matches Anand Mangra was defeated by Umasankar Madray 2-6, the other match being effectively a semi-final with Nicholas Hing losing to Robert Singh resulting in Singh advancing to final due to the no show of Ryan McKinnon. In the semi-final Umasankar overcame a poor start to dominate Sean Duncan in the last 3 rounds to secure the win and a spot in the final. For the team shoot-offs, Robert Singh and Narda Mohamed dominated to take the gold medal leaving team Anand Mangra and Samira Duncan with silver while
2018 Men’s Individual winner Mr. Robert Singh (center) along with Women’s Individual champ, Ms. Samira Duncan (4th right) with some of the other competitors following the presentation ceremony. Umasankar Madray and Shereeda Yusuf secured bronze. Full results: Women Cadet - Talitha Kissoon – 40 (gold), Jessica Callender – 9
GBTI backs Matarkai Sports Committee annual football
(silver), Women Individual Samira Duncan – 46 (gold), Shereeda Yusuf – 13 (silver), Narda Mohamed – bronze by default.
attractive cash and individual prizes. Public Relations Officer of MSC Sherlon Rodrigues said fans can expect quality football throughout the tournament since a number of the top players from the region will be on show. He said that the tournament is designed to nurture the skills of the young players and promote the sport in the area. He expressed gratitude to GBTI, while the entity’s representative Liam Wong said they are happy to be associated with the tournament once again and it’s a way of giving back to
the society. He stated that such tournament can only help to develop the talent of the youths adding that they are looking forward to a successful competition. Meanwhile, Rodrigues informed that the Atkinson brothers’ eight annual Floodlights Football competition, which is currently underway, will conclude on December 26 at the Kumaka Recreation Ground, Moruca. The winning male and female teams will take home $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.
Singh/Narda Mohamed – 101 (gold), Anand Mangra/Samira Duncan – 1 2 0 ( s i l v e r ) , UmasankarMadray/Shereed a Yusuf – 64 (bronze).
Can Annai upset Shiva’s boys’ for title?
MSC Chairman Sherlon Rodrigues (left) receives the championship trophies from GBTI’s, Liam Wong. The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry is the latest entity to throw its support behind the Matarkai Sports Committee (MSC) for the staging of their annual football tournament which is set to commence on December 26 at Oronoque Tarmac, Port Kaituma, Region One. The tournament which is being held in collaboration with New Image Barber Shop and Platinum General Store will see male and female teams from Matthew’s Ridge, Port Kaituma, Sebai, Mabaruma and Moruca battling for
Men Individual - Robert Singh – 65 (gold), UmasankarMadray– 61 (silver), Sean Duncan – 60 (bronze). Te a m s - R o b e r t
Annai Secondary in with a mathematical chance of winning the KFC Goodwill Cup.
T
omorrow’s third and final round of the KFC Goodwill Cup, featuring three teams from Guyana in A n n a i S e c o n d a r y, C h r i s t i a n b u r g / Wi s m a r Secondary School (CWSS) and Annandale Secondary along with Trinidad and Tobago’s Shiva’s Boys’ Hindu College, is set for an intense finish at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground with Annai having a faint chance of beating Shiva’s to the top spot.
The Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers league champions, Annandale, that have lost both their opening games to C W S S a n d S h i v a ’s respectively, and CWSS that earned an extra-time victory worth two-points rather than a normal time win of three against Annandale before losing 3-0 to Annai, are both certain of not lifting the winning trophy. Annai Secondary has three points for while Shiva Boys’ have a perfect record of six points. The 2016 T&T School
League champions seem destined to win the title but a defeat to Linden’s CWSS and a win by two goals or more by South Rupununi’s, Annai over Annandale can see the region 9 School ascend into the top spot and lift the KFC Goodwill Cup. But if Annai don’t defeat the East Coast boys in the first match at 17:00hrs, the feature match that kicks off at 19:00hrs will be a matter of Shiva’s boys’ trying to remain unbeaten in the tournament with victory already secured.
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Friday December 21, 2018
Record total sends Windies to defeat
D
h a k a , Bangladesh, Dec 20, CMC – R o v m a n Powell’s maiden Twenty20 International half-century went in vain as West Indies caved under the pressure of a difficult run chase, to go down by 36 runs in the second T20I here, yesterday. In pursuit of 212 for victory at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, West Indies put up a fight before folding for 175 at the start of the final over, leaving the series level at 1-1 and turning tomorrow’s final match into the series decider. Powell slammed 50 off 34 balls while the in-form Shai Hope chipped in with a sparkling 36 off 19 deliveries, but captain and left-arm spinner Shakib-alHasan scythed through the innings with a career-best 520 as West Indies slumped to 101 for five at the end of the 11th over. Keemo Paul arrived at number nine to pummel 29 off 16 balls but by then Bangladesh were in command of the contest and the result was only a formality. Opener Liton Das had earlier lashed a top score of 60 off 34 deliveries as the hosts rallied to a record 211 for four off their 20 overs – their highest-ever score at home and their second highest ever. Mahmudullah smashed an unbeaten 43 from 21 balls towards the end and Shakib, not to be left out, chipped in with a typically breezy 42 not out off 26 deliveries. Entering the contest hoping to seal their first T20I series win of the year, West Indies found themselves on the
Shakib Al Hasan celebrates with Mohammad Saifuddin AFP
back foot early as Das and Tamim Iqbal (15) put on 42 off 25 balls for the first wicket. Tamim, though, was not at his most fluent, and after being put down on 13, finally perished when he pulled leftarm spinner Fabian Allen to Sheldon Cottrell at midwicket in the fifth over. Das, who counted six fours and four sixes, then added a whirlwind 68 for the second wicket with Soumya Sarkar whose 32 came from 22 deliveries and included three fours and a six. Together, they raised the fifty in the sixth over with the first of two consecutive sixes by Das off speedster Oshane Thomas, before bringing up the hundred in the 11th. However, left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell removed both in the 12th over and when Mushfiqur holed out to deep mid-wicket off Thomas in the 13th over, West Indies were back in the contest at 120 for four. However, that was the C a r i b b e a n s i d e ’s l a s t sighting of success as Mahmudullah and Shakib combined in a devastating 91-run, unbroken fifth wicket stand which fired
Bangladesh past the 200-run mark. Mahmudullah struck seven fours – including three consecutive off Cottrell in the 14th over – while the lefthanded Shakib punched five fours and a six – a hoist over square leg in the 16th over from opposite number Carlos Brathwaite which leaked 19 runs. In reply, West Indies suffered an early blow when Evin Lewis (1) picked out deep mid-wicket off left-arm seamer Abu Hider in the third over but Hope once again entertained, if only briefly, with six audacious fours – including four in succession off seamer Mustafizur Rahman (2-50) in the fourth over. He added 41 with Nicholas Pooran who made 14 before holing out backward square leg trying to lift Shakib for a second consecutive six in the fifth over. Hope followed in the next over, caught on the ropes at mid-wicket off offspinner Mehidy Hasan and though Powell put on 36 with Shimron Hetmyer (19) for the fourth wicket, the Windies collapsed as Shakib wrecked the innings.
Ann’s Grove, Soesdyke Falcons, Victoria... From page 41 18:30hrs and the all East Coast cast of Victoria Kings which will tangle with Buxton Stars in the main attraction. There is no room for any mistakes and this evening’s matches are anticipated to be exhilarating as teams are aware that only winners will advance. Ann’s Grove will bank on the likes of veteran Dwain Jacobs, Les Charles Critchlow, Delroy Deane, Clive Andries and William Europe along with Quincy Johnson, Antonio Jackson, Odel Gulliver, Steve Francis, Ryan Seals, Gerald Sobers, Quincy Barry, Maxton Adams, Roydell Dodson, Chavez John and Okemi Edwards among others to deliver a victory for them. Soesdyke Falcons, competing at this level for the first time will go into the match with no pressure as they will start as the underdogs. To combine efforts with a view of sending the home team packing would be Orin Tasher, Marvin Joseph, Roger Dey, Tyrell and Tyrone Khan, Shane Meusa, Dwayne Barker, Kelsey
Benson, Colin Holder and Dolwin Boston among other players. The feature match, an all East Coast derby will see Victoria Kings starting as the favourites but Buxton Stars is no pushovers and have been dominating at eh East Coast level apart from competing in numerous tournaments in the city. The Stars’ ambition to shine will depend on the likes of Goalkeeper Eon Abel, Kofi Major, Shemar McPherson, Kevin Garnett, Shemar Scott, Cordel Thomas, Karlos Cole, Malcolm Wilson, Samuel George, Toney Homer, Casey Parris, Kenroy Green and Kareem Wills. Victoria, once known as the knockout kings in Guyana will hope to end the night on a winning note and would that the likes of veteran Aubrey Gibson, Kwadjo Garnett, Calvin De Souza, Pierre Joseph, Andrew Williams, Inceford Charles, Trevor Fraser, Alden Lawrence, Azumah Roberts, Sherlock Dowden and Travis James can deliver the goods.
Hetmyer never looked himself and finally topedged Shakib to be taken in the deep and in the same over, Darren Bravo sliced to short third man to depart for two. Shakib also got the important wicket of Brathwaite (7), stumped after absentmindedly drifting out of his crease and then bowled Allen without scoring in his next over, as West Indies plunged to 138 for seven in the 15th over. Powell, who crunched five fours and a six without really finding his rhythm, finally perished in the 16th, skying Mustafizur to mid-on.
Kaieteur News
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UDFA/GT Beer Tourney
Net Rockers face Blueberry Hill; Topp XX collide with Winners Connection, tonight
Denzil Pryce - Net Rockers FC The Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) sixth annual GT Beer Championship will continue tonight with two more matches at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. Net Rockers, led by the dependable Denzil Pryce upfront will face Blueberry Hill with key player Royston Fraser leading them in the first match from 19:00hrs. The feature match brings together Topp XX and Winners Connection from 21:00hrs. After disposing of Silver Shattas 4-0 in their opening game, Net Rockers, the second ranked club in Linden can seal their semifinal spot with a win over the lowly ranked
Friday December 21, 2018
Teams receive prize money for Turbo KO; Stephan Reynolds awarded MVP
Ryan Noel - Topp XX Blueberry Hill which went down to Shattas 21. Topp XX, led by Ryan Noel will need to beat the higher ranked Winners Connection after they ended the hopes of the Amelia’s Ward Panthers, getting past them 2-1 loss and now take the challenge to Winners Connection which defeated the Panthers also via a 2-1 margin with the returning Marmalaque Davidson in their lineup. With both, Topp XX and Winners Connection taking full points from their last matches, tonight’s clash is also a crucial encounter.
From left, Petra’s Mark Alleyne, Raymond Govinda, Petra’s Jacklyn Boodie, Nigel Denny and Sean Embrack pose for a photo at the prize giving ceremony yesterday at MOE ground.
Y
esterday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground, the top teams of the recently concluded Turbo knockout football tournament were presented with their trophies and more importantly, prize monies. Northern Rangers’ most senior player, Nigel Denny, received the cheque and championship trophy on behalf of his team during the simple ceremony while the Coach of the runners up, Dellon Cadogan, collected the cheque worth $400,000 and corresponding trophy on behalf of Georgetown Football Club (GFC). Skipper of Rangers, 18-year-old Stephan Reynolds, was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament after an outstanding campaign and a manof-the-match performance in the final where he scored the winning goal to see the underdogs carting off the grand cash prize of $800,000. Interestingly, GFC’s Ronel McClean, who was beaten on his near post by Reynolds in the final, was named the Best Goalkeeper
of the tournament. Manaseh Primo of Police FC which was disqualified in the quarterfinals, tally of five goals was the most in the tournament and it is very likely that he would have added to the tally if Police had remained in the tournament. Sean Embrack, a representative of the promoters; Petra Organisation noted that twelve teams participated in the knockout format over a period of eight playing days and he was pleased to see a new winner emerging in the second edition after Camptown FC had won the inaugural. Marketing Coordinator of title sponsors, Guyana Beverage Inc. through their Turbo Brand, Raymond Govinda also expressed his pleasure with the execution of the tournament while acknowledging the tremendous support of the fans. However, he explained that they will not be a third edition of the Turbo sponsored event since his company has plans to take the brand to motor racing but noted that he GBI will continue to support Petra but through another brand.
Kaieteur News
Friday December 21, 2018
PAGE 41
EBFA/Ralph Green Under-11 League - Exciting final day anticipated tomorrow
Timehri aiming for title; Grove assured of 2nd; Agricola & Swan to battle for 3rd and 4th A
n exciting climax to the Third Edition of the East Bank Football Association / Ralph Green sponsored Under-11 League is anticipated tomorrow when the final three matches are contested at the Diamond Community Center Ground. With Grove Hi Tech assured of the second place having completed their quota of 11 matches and ending on 29 points, Timehri Panthers with a game to go against Friendship All Stars can win the league is they take full points. They are currently on 27 points following their 4-0 triumph against Diamodn Upsetters yesterday at the same venue. The battle for the 3rd and 4th places will be decided in the final match of the league when Swan FC takes on Agricola Red Triangle which won the league for the first two years. Both teams are on 25 points and separated by goal difference, Agricola +30 to Swan’s +28 which mean a win for either side will see them ending 3rd and the loser, 4th. Tomorrow’s opening game brings together Diamond United and Samatta Point/Kaneville.
Action in the Timehri Panthers (green) and Diamond Upsetters match yesterday at the Diamond Community Center Ground.
Omar Sam – Timehri Panthers
Yesterday’s lone match contested saw Timehri inching closer to the title when they got past Diamond Upsetters 4-0 on account of goals from Shaquelle Caleb in the 3rd minute, Captain and the league’s leading goal scorer Omar Sam (22) in the 5th minute, Josiah Williams (25th) and Keron Williams in the 26th minute. Samatta Point/Kaneville pocketed three points with a walk over from Herstelling Raiders with Agricola Red Triangle also winning via the same route on account of the absence of Friendship All Stars.
# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Team Grove Hi Tech Timehri Panthers Agricola Red Triangle Swan FC Diamond Upsetters Samatta Point KV Diamond United Mocha Champs Friendship All Stars Kuru Kururu Warriors Herstelling Raiders Hararuni Eagles
Kuru Kururu Warriors and Mocha Champs failed to show up for their match. Kick off time is 09:00hrs with the presentation of
P 11 10 10 10 11 10 10 10 10 10 11 11
Latest Points Standings W L D 9 0 2 9 1 0 8 1 1 8 1 1 6 4 1 4 5 1 3 5 2 3 6 0 2 6 2 2 8 0 2 9 0 1 10 0
prizes following the final match. The top four teams would be rewarded with replicas (1st & 2nd) and
GF 33 47 36 33 16 8 13 16 11 5 8 4
GA 6 11 6 8 14 31 19 15 24 25 40 31
medals (3rd & 4th). The Most Valuable Player, Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer, Most Promising Player and Most
GD +27 +36 +30 +28 +2 -23 -6 +1 -13 -20 -32 -27
Points 29 27 25 25 19 13 11 9 8 6 6 3
Disciplined Player will each c o l l e c t a Tr o p h y a n d Backpack while the Best Coach would also be rewarded.
GFF/Stag Super 16
Ann’s Grove, Soesdyke Falcons, Victoria Kings and Buxton Stars to battle at Golden Grove, today
T
Tyrell Khan Soesdyke Falcons
Kofi Major Buxton Stars FC
Dwayne Jacobs
he Golden Grove Ground, East Coast Demerara will be the center of attraction today when the Guyana Football Federation / Stag Super 16
championship continues with two more matches from 18:30hrs. Seeking to join defending champions Guyana Defense Force, Buxton United, Fruta
Conquerors and Western Tigers in the quarter finals are home team Ann’s Grove which will take on East Bank’s Soesdyke Falcons in the opening match at (Continued on page 39)
t r o Sp
Sanasie reveals plan for LBI facility; Crandon on Windies Coaching staff GCB Annual Awards
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Sports Dr. George Norton, CGI’s Secretary Anand Sanasie and Dr. Shivnarine Chanderpaul with the Awardees at the GCB Awards Ceremony on Wednesday night.
Record total Sixteen shortlisted to represent sends Windies Guyana in inaugural tournament to defeat GFF/ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival
Rovman Powell ‌ struck his maiden T20I half-century.
Members of the Guyana squad shortlisted for the GFF ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.