Sunday December 23, 2018
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This vote was long in the making DEAR EDITOR, Parliament has spoken. The Government has been defeated in a no-confidence vote. General Elections must be held within 90 days unless the House by a 2/3 majority extends that time. This vote was long in the making. APNU and AFC have caused it upon themselves. Charrandass Persaud will go down in history as a Hero to some and as a Traitor to others. My wife told me that Charrandass is the only person in Guyana who has
“balls”, whichever side you see him will be up to the individual. I campaigned and supported the AFC since its inception. I believe, and still do, that any government should be one for all of the people. The PPP did not show that in government. I was certain that APNU/AFC would have been inclusive bearing in mind the Valentine Day Accord in 2015 and the manifesto they presented to the people. Added to that, I was convinced that
candidate Granger and Nagamootoo would have worked together for all of Guyana without regard to ones’ political affiliation and ethnicity. To my great disappointment, the nation became more polarized and it was business as usual. Now we can have another “New” beginning. My only and sincere wish and profound hope is that whoever wins the next election, they will see Guyana as one nation. We are neither
African nor Indian; Portugese nor Amerindian; Rich or Poor; PNC nor PPP rather we are all Guyanese, and very proud to be Guyanese. My prayer is that the next government will set up a reconciliation commission and let us speak our truth without fear, and to hopefully put aside our “dark” past. We are a great people and together we will make our country great. Sincerely, Charles Sugrim
The Purpose of Jesus Christ DEAR EDITOR, THE life and influence of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, throughout history has always produced great changes in the lives of men and women, and of all nations. Wherever His teachings and influence have gone, there have been a multitude of other changes that have been made for the good of mankind. Individual lives are also dramatically changed through the teachings of Jesus Christ. His works throughout His own time as teacher, healer, and His overall purpose for existence have influenced many. We must ask ourselves some serious questions about life itself. Questions such as, Who am I? What is my purpose in this world? What can I do to contribute to society? What is my destiny after I am gone from this life? Jesus came to offer the world answers to life’s deep spiritual and moral questions. He came to save all mankind from sin and to offer us life after death. We see the effect of His teachings from the Bible, and how His morality has shaped the minds of many good people. Jesus began His ministry by announcing, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” His calling was based on the vision of the
Kingdom of God. He shared this vision with ordinary people, fishermen and tax collectors; and seeing their potential, shaped 12 of them into a team. Jesus demonstrated His character as a servant leader, and when faced with opposition and conflict, responded with humility and integrity. His mission was to guide us and to let us know Him. It also was to show us a better path, full of truth, so that no one who believes in Him is lost. It also was to show and to remind us of the love of His Father and what He wants for us. Jesus Christ came to redeem humanity from sin. Jesus came to deliver truth in a world of false beliefs. Our greatest need is a spiritual need, which we cannot fulfill with the gains in this life, such as profits or pleasure, but by lasting peace in Christ. His mission was to change our way of thinking, so that we would know the love of God. He came, driven by an immense love, to suffer for us and to purge our sins, showing us how to live. He came to live in this world to complete His mission, which was to suffer and die for our sins on the cross. Right now, He is in us so we can follow His path, full of love, as He showed us, to have a better life, to obtain the glory in the eternal life, and to follow the commandments that He left us.
Mr. President, now is the time to unite our people DEAR EDITOR, May I take this opportunity to point out to President David Granger that problems also present opportunities. While the APNU+AFC Government has suffered a major setback with the passing of the PPP/C No Confidence Motion, I believe that now is the time to reach across the political divide and unite our people. What Guyanese would like to see is for the APNU+AFC Government and the PPP/C Opposition working closer together on projects of National Importance. In doing so, trust is built between them. In time, they will build mutual understanding and mutual respect. Mr. President, Now is the time to unite our people. Yours faithfully Sean Ori
Jesus’ life and teachings influenced some of the greatest men who ever lived. His Sermon on the Mount influenced the great Mahatma Gandhi. In the words of Gandhi about Jesus, he said, “A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including His enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” Mother Theresa said the following about Jesus: “I believe in person-toperson. Every person is Christ, for me, and since there is only one Jesus, that person is the one person in the world at that moment.” “Jesus Christ was an extremist for love, truth and goodness.” — Martin Luther King Jr. These are just a few people. The illustrious Billy Graham preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to over one billion people around the world face to face. He is one of the greatest preachers and international scholars. He
influenced millions of people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the greatest scientists of our time, who is widely studied universally, said the following about Jesus, “I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene. Jesus is too colossal for the pen of phrase-mongers, however artful.” As we enter into the new year 2019, let’s join with each other to build a better nation, let’s join to eradicate crime and illiteracy, let’s join and pray for our political leaders, let our political leaders pray and ask God for divine guidance for them to rule this nation justly; and let’s not break the laws of the land by bribery and corruption. May God bless and guide us as we build a Guyana devoid of hate as ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’. A blessed 2019 to all Guyanese. Regards, REV.DR. GIDEON CECIL
It is the Coalition Govt... From page 4 himself debunked this false accusation. He stated a number of reasons and chief among those is the fact that the AFC leaders have become ‘yes men’ for the PNC dominated APNU, which destroyed the lives of thousands of sugar workers while they ‘run around enjoying the good life’! The only thing Charrandass had ‘compromised’ during the past three and a half year was his conscience and that he changed by his historic voting. In his own inimitable style, Ramjattan saw ‘expulsion’ as the solution since he ‘betrayed’ the Coalition but Charrandass made it clear that he was tired of the AFC and would like to free himself from the political scene. A few in the AFC and the PNC are talking about ‘betrayal’ by Charrandass but
anyone with an iota of conscience will testify that it is the AFC leaders who have betrayed its members and supporters. I saw this since 2011 but by 2015, the coalescing with the APNU saw the abortion of all its founding principles. I wrote about this ‘subservience’ of the AFC to the PNC. The AFC leaders became totally absorbed in enjoying the ‘good life’ and selfishly maintaining their status quo. Furthermore, it is the Coalition Government, which has betrayed the Guyanese public by miserably failing to live up to its 2015 Manifesto promises. I salute Mr. Charrandass Persaud in inspiring Guyanese confidence in the ‘no confidence’ motion and for the strategic timing of Dr. Jagdeo to ‘bring it on’! Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
Open Letter to President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo DEAR EDITOR, By now, Guyana would have been shocked by the outcome of a no-confidence motion, which has heralded fresh elections within three months. One man has spoken and the rest of Guyana will have to sit up and take notice. However, it should be seen as a positive situation and an opportunity. There are three major parties in Guyana- the People’s National Congress Reform, the Alliance For Change, and the People’s Progressive Party. There is enough in this country for us to enjoy the good life. It is time for both parties to come together and work for a national front government or shared governance or whatever you want to call it. We can no longer be
divided. We have seen the aggressive stance of Venezuela towards our oil ventures as evidenced from their incursion to our waters. We have a golden opportunity to do good things. There is an old saying, ‘United we stand, divided we fall.’ There is a beautiful poem that we can reflect on: I shall pass this way but once; Any good therefore That I can do Or any kindness that I Can show to any creature, Let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, For I shall not pass This way again. Etienne de Grellet Cobeer Persaud
The PPP is still not acceptable with its current leadership of Jagdeo, Irfan Ali and Nandlall DEAR EDITOR, I applaud the stance taken by Charrandass Persaud. Every Guyanese who cares about democracy and the future of Guyana should embrace Charrandass Persaud as a Guyanese hero. I am not a member of any political party but I voted f o r t h e P P P. I w a s disillusioned by the PPP and welcome them booted from government even though I voted for them. I was willing to give the AFC a chance but I am completely disgusted with their incompetence. Along with the PNC, they are worse than the PPP. But make no mistake. The PPP is still not acceptable
with its current leadership. Jagdeo must go. Irfan Ali, Anil Nandlall, Manikchand, Ramson, Seeraj, Dharamlall, Croal, and Lumumba must all go to allow the PPP to breathe and redeem itself. If the PPP does not field a candidate that is decent and honest, then I urge all Guyanese to be like Charrandass Persaud and take a principled stance. Do not vote for anyone in the next general elections. Harrish Singh
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Sunday December 23, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Some may see this action as their ‘get out of jail free’ card
Government and Opposition must develop strategies on the way forward, inclusive of communication and crisis management
DEAR EDITOR, Charrandass’ action in Guyana’s parliament yesterday, reminds me of that childhood game of ‘the dog and the bone’, and the news of him leaving the country is also of no surprise to me. It is sad that many of our people, who claim to love Guyana, will vote in favour of politicians who look like them, but after those politicians win, these very people who support them will leave for America and Canada. A friend of mine from Trinidad will often use this phrase, “Playing smart with stupidness.” This is what I believe took place in the parliament of Guyana. Though Charrandass actions are applauded by some, and considered democratic, it may only serve to add wood to the
fire of racial politics in Guyana. The man from East Berbice speaks of voting conscience, but it somehow things do not add up. He took the bone and ran. Nevertheless, the sufferings of Afro Guyanese under the PPP/C, will not be forgotten by the common man in the street just like that. There are still too many loose threads hanging concerning the manipulation of justice, and the abuse of the same under this party. The PPP/C supporters may not care about those killed by death squads under this party’s term in office or the large amount of money stolen and squandered, but a large percentage of the Guyanese people want justice. Some may see
Charrandass’ action as their ‘get out of jail free’ card, and a chance to be in government again. However, they are those who will never forget, and there are those who will not rest until justice is served. There is no democracy when those who serve as leaders, pocket the nation’s wealth, and murder its citizens, and are allowed to walk free. Come election in 3 months, Guyanese must stand up against those who promote racial politics, and those whose hands are red with the blood of our youths, who were stereotyped and killed by the then PPP/C government dead squads. Guyanese must not allow the cries of the blood from the ground of those murdered to go unanswered. Apostle Adrian Wade
“If lil boy say he gon pelt you, he dun got the brick in he hand” DEAR EDITOR, I thank you, Editor, for having printed my letter titled, “Is my government reading the political signals correctly?” in your newspaper on Sunday, November 25 and Monday, November 26. I was not extremely surprised about the result of the No Confidence Vote in our Parliament yesterday. I did indicate the nonchalance of my government in reading the signs correctly. I will continue to hold the feet of my Government to the fire. Being dismayed is the normal reaction of my people, but, notwithstanding, the information released by Mr. Rickford Burke, another
concerned Guyanese, who had expressed that he had forewarned four Ministers of the Government about the intended move by the PPP.As usual, apparently nothing was done. As I sit here, I’m wondering the thoughts of many of the Ministers, advisor, et al. A mandate of ninety days is one of serious consequence to the Government . As I said before, “Emperor Nero fiddled while Rome was burning.” The die has been cast and I remember my father today. He said, “If lil boy say he gon pelt you, he dun got the brick in he hand already.” Yours respectfully Orin Major
DEAR EDITOR, This afternoon, Saturday 22 December, 2018, I saw a 25 minutes and 51 second video with the Hon. Simona Broomes, Junior Minister of Natural Resources, clad in a blue and white striped jersey and a Christmas decoration on her head, on her ‘Facebook’ page. In the video, the Minister was responding to, and attempting to encourage ‘her’ supporters, as a result of the No-Confidence Motion that was passed successfully against the Government on Friday evening. As a senior communications professional, I am ‘taking over’ the Government’s and Opposition’s communications at this point in the name of citizenship; not the politics and campaigning aspects but governance. Apart from the Minister’s attire being inappropriate, I found it unbelievable, what the Minister was doing and saying, a few hours after the Government for which she is a part of, fell. As someone who has studied and practised the science and art of communications, I must note that what the Minister was doing, is one of the reasons for the results in Parliament on the 21 December, 2018; the lack of meticulous strategizing and the Government has to take stock, review and revise its behaviour, engagements and operations, etc. The Minister took to her ‘Facebook’ page to express her emotions. This act and kind of behaviour from Government Ministers, is at a very emotional level and could impact negatively on the following: the Government’s ability to manage the current ‘crisis’ and impending change process; the Government’s ability to control the messages sent to its various audiences - both internal and external (supporters, investors, business community, other Governments, Opposition, etc.), which is important to its leadership; the Government’s ability to mobilize the much needed support at this time (for the parties in Government, as well as for the stability of the country). The Minister also, was involved in some name-calling;
by calling Mr. Charrandas Persaud, who is the Government’s Member of Parliament who voted ‘yes’ to the No- Confidence Motion in favour of the Opposition, a Judas. This is totally unacceptable from any Member of Government and it is also not strategic. Government must not descend into name calling in public, particularly as it relates to this matter. The Government has to show more emotional sustainability; they are the Government, leading a people through a period of massive uncertainties at this point and we need to see leadership at its best and highest. Therefore, President Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Bharrat Jagdeo; here is how we will do communications from here, at least for the next month. The Government and Opposition must immediately, separately, and if possible, collectively on some aspects; meet with its Ministers or key representatives and advisors as well as appropriate individuals and develop a comprehensive strategy on the way forward; a communications and crisis management strategy must also be a main component. The communications and crisis management strategy should include, building greater internal cohesion within the government, developing core messages (what are the next steps according to the Constitution, Laws of Guyana, policies of parties in Government, policies of the PPP/C), etc. The parties should also decide on WHO speaks for the Government and Opposition at this point; and since I will not take any chances, clear decisions and AGREEMENT should be on WHAT is communicated and HOW these messages will be sent out, etc. A mobilization strategy must also be developed, which should include: How the Government and Opposition intend to mobilize various stakeholders – internal and external. The Opposition also needs to develop and communicate its reform plan and leadership TEAM. A detail minute –byminute implementation plan, which should clearly outline
the process, timelines, goals and projected achievements, etc. Minister Broomes’ action does not show emotional sustainability. You do not and I repeat, you do not take to any public space, the day after your Government has fallen and express your emotions as a responsible and mature Minister of Government and professional; sorry, it is absolutely not acceptable. This is a Government! The success of the No Confidence Motion has serious implications at multiple levels–the general stability of the country, the business sector, investments; SECURITY; international relations; among others. The Government/leadership cannot communicate with its followership at the same emotional level at this time, in private perhaps. This is no joke, this is serious business. The Minister in the video, seems to think that the Government can go on the campaign trail tomorrow, hence the Minister was already in campaign mode; .without even analyzing what had happened, the serious implications and before her Government could have properly developed a sound strategy with which to lead the nation through this ‘crisis’. While I understand the politics, the time will come to campaign and when that time comes, the messages must be clear, hence the need for strategy; now it is time to show strong governance. Ministers have to communicate the Government’s position on this matter, at this time, and less of their personal opinions.We expect the highest levels of responsibility from each and every member of the Government and the Opposition at this time. The country is at a very vulnerable position at this point. With the increasing intensity of the threats from Venezuela, there is need to build greater internal resilience and mobilize the various stakeholders around ‘Country’. I would even suggest that if the threats intensifies further; the Elections could be postponed beyond the three months and both Government and Opposition should hammer out an agreement to govern the country while and we channel our energies and resources into protecting our borders; sovereignty should be more important than power. Yours faithfully, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas
Sunday December 23, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Comments in the wake of the no-confidence vote Private Sector Commission A Private Sector Commission team, led by Captain Gerry Gouveia, was an active observer in the National Assembly of the debate and the decision of the motion of no confidence by the Opposition against the Government. The Private Sector Commission is satisfied that democracy prevailed in our National Assembly, a fact of which as a nation and as a people we can all be proud. The Commission now calls upon our
leaders and our people to continue to respect and honour the democratic decision of our Parliament.We urge our leaders to continue to respect and honour the highest principles of democratic government and the maintenance of law and order which our nation has embraced. The Private Sector Commission expects that the nation will now properly prepare itself for a peaceful, free and fair election going forward.
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn The democratic process as laid out in the Constitution has been followed. It is important that everyone now respects the results. Members of Parliament must be allowed to undertake their constitutionally mandated roles in the absence of fear or favour. Maintaining the fundamental tenets of
democracy is paramount to us all and whilst everyone has the right to protest this must be peaceful. We urge calm on all sides and look forward to a free and fair election and a campaign fought on the issues that confront Guyana and it’s future development.
Guyana Trades Union Congress Parliament has concluded, and the NoConfidence motion brought against the APNU+AFC Government by the Opposition PPP/C was passed. In the 65-seat National Assembly, the motion was passed by 32 PPP/ C Parliamentarians and one Coalition Parliamentarian. Our democracy is at work and while the decision would not be favourable to all it is lawful and binding. The GTUC expects that the AFC Member, Charandass Persuad, who voted for the government’s life to come to end will share with his constituency, the Coalition, as well as the nation the rationale for his decisionmaking. No longer should the public be made to accept, as norm, public officials making critical decisions without providing justification. The Coalition, but most specifically the AFC, needs to explain to the nation. Leaders must go all out to avoid or
minimise triumphalism. All parties and citizens should be watchful of attempt to provoke conflict and create ethnic tension and mayhem. We still have a nation to build and a destiny to mould. We are One People, One Nation, One Destiny, and we cannot allow partisan interest to divide us. Guyanese must now prepare themselves to go into early General & Regional Elections consistent with the Guyana Constitution and Representation of the People Act. The reality of this experience also means that finances to execute such an exercise, coming immediately after the Local Government Elections, will take precedence over other expenditures. Both parties, Opposition and Government, have a responsibility now to ensure the national interest is served. GTUC calls on every citizen to be a watchdog. Guyana has an opportunity for growth and maturity.
Ethnic Relations Commission The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) wishes to state that the debate on the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly yesterday is indicative that the democratic process of our nation is at work. It also exemplifies that, despite sharp political differences, democracy was made foremost. This is extremely healthy for our nation and its people.The carried motion is unprecedented in our country and precipitates specific constitutional requirements regarding the holding of General and Regional elections. These surely will be made much clearer to all by the relevant authority shortly. Our nation’s history is unambiguous in reminding us of the inherent challenges that unfortunately surrounds our electoral process. Clearly, the results of the said motion present another delicate period for our country and which uncompromisingly must be managed with utmost maturity through responsible
leadership by all. The ERC is cognizant of the potential for sensitivities to be heightened during this period and urge that the pronouncements and actions of all are not injurious to the process of fostering harmony and good relations. The Commission therefore wishes to encourage every Guyanese in all strata of our society to demonstrate an added sense of tolerance and respect for each other and the processes, which will soon unfold. This is vital to the sustenance of our democracy and presents an opportunity for us all to collectively rise to the challenge of placing first the welfare of our nation and its people.The ERC is heartened over the sentiments expressed by political leaders thus far calling for peace and stability and for the carried motion not to be a reason for disruption in our society. This is the maturity and leadership that are necessary and which must be sustained and holistic in the national interest. The Commission is also
very heartened by the transparent and peaceful conduct of the November 12 Local Government Election and which, barring a few hiccups, was commended by all. It demonstrates that elections, which will always be a fixture in our democracy, must not be a mechanism to divide but one that becomes routine without fear of the process and eventualities as reflected in our history. As we endeavour through these sensitive moments, all are encouraged to resist being overcome by emotions and to disallow the infusion of hatred. Let us remain mindful that all are sons and daughters of this dear land dependent on each other for the creation of the mutually desired future. It therefore becomes imperative that each play their part responsibly. The ERC, through its constitutional mandate, remains ready and committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that peace and togetherness prevail during this process.
Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Chamber of Commerce In the aftermath of the no confidence motion against the APNU/AFC Coalition Government, the Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the strength of Guyana’s democracy and Guyanese should go about their business during this season of joy and goodwill without discomfort.Guyanese are proud that as a Nation our leaders and citizens continue to respect and honour the democratic decision of Parliament. As such, the
Chamber of Commerce urges leaders to respect and honour the highest principles of democratic governance and the maintenance of law and order which is paramount. We are One People, One Nation, One Destiny, and we cannot allow partisan interest to divide us and all parties and citizens should be watchful of attempt to provoke conflict and create ethnic tension and mayhem as we have a nation to build and a destiny to mould. Both parties, Opposition and Government, have a
responsibility now to ensure the national interest is served. The no confidence motion is a reawakening of the power of the electorate and the business community needs a stable political situation for a buoyant economy. We don’t want only to see politicians during elections but we want to see them all year-round so they can fulfill their promises to citizens during interactive periods. President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce Halim Kahn
Fly Jamaica begins process to compensate passengers in crash landing
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Fly Jamaica has begun taking steps towards compensating passengers who suffered loss when its Boeing 757-200 aircraft overshot the runway at the Cheddi Jagan International airport last month. The airline, in a public notification, said it is continuing to support passengers who were on-board the November 9 flight and is inviting those who may have suffered loss to contact their local Fly Jamaica office to discuss whether they may qualify for reimbursement or other compensation. “Now that the immediate post-incident travel and accommodation needs of our passengers have been met, Fly Jamaica has begun the process of interfacing with
customers to ensure that, if they have suffered loss, they can be fairly and reasonably compensated in line with accepted principles of aviation international law and our own corporate responsibility,” said the airline in its the notification. Six people were injured when the Torontobound aircraft with 118 passengers and eight crew members aboard made the emergency landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. An 86-year-old woman died a week after the crash. Two lawsuits have been filed for injuries and loss sustained in the crash on behalf of passengers in Canada.
West Watooka man fatally stabbed over spilled alcohol The peace and serenity of West Watooka was on Friday night shattered after a resident was fatally stabbed in the region of the heart and subsequently died at the Linden Hospital Complex while receiving medical attention. Residents expressed shock at what some called the senseless killing of Leonard Peters. The police in a release said that they are investigating the murder of Leonard ‘Lenny’ Peters, 21, of Lot 29 West Watooka, Wismar, Linden which occurred about 22:00h Friday night at Lot 6 West Watooka, allegedly by two male residents. The incident reportedly stemmed from a misunderstanding at a social event at Lot 6 West Watooka where it was alleged that the deceased accidentally spilled alcohol on one of the two suspects and which subsequently resulted in a physical confrontation. Peters who was observed bleeding from a (Continued on page 9)
Killed: Leonard Peters
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Kaieteur News
Sunday December 23, 2018
Why I voted the way I did – Charrandass A Member of Parliament backbencher, (MP), Charrandass Persaud, was largely quiet in the national front over the past few months. On Friday evening, after 20:00 hours, that all changed. Within hours, on the coastlands, and in the diaspora, his name was on the lips of hundreds of thousands. Persaud during what, for the Coalition Government, should have been a routine vote, kicked over the apple cart and caused the dam to break, by voting with the Opposition on a critical no-
confidence motion. To the shouts and disbelief of his colleagues MPs, he remained defiant, and the motion was carried 33-32 in favour of the Opposition. His one vote has caused the Coalition Government, in just the fourth year of its fiveyear reign, to fall. That one vote will now see early elections within three months. It has never happened before in Guyana. With a one-seat minority, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) after being booted from office in 2015, during an early election due to a
prorogued Parliament, stand a real chance of regaining power after a good showing at the recent Local Government Elections. Charrandass Persaud, surrounded by MPs and others of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which forms Opposition, shortly after the vote on Friday night, insisted that he voted with his conscience, for the first time in three and a half years as an MP. The rest of the time he voted along party lines. He was given protection to head out of the Parliament Building and police were
supposed to give him more security until he left Guyana for Canada yesterday. Speaking with reporters, Charrandass did not hold back. He appeared to have planned the vote. He had prepared a letter, which he gave to his secretary of his law office in Berbice, detailing his reasons for his vote. The letter was to have been released in case he did not make it from the Parliament chambers. He had also made plans to fly out yesterday. He wrote to his son, urging him to be happy and to be a good father. With regards to his decision, Persaud complained that the Government MP, Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence, was sitting in the cafeteria in the Parliament Buildings when she allegedly threatened to kill and to throw anyone who crossed the floor, over the rail. Conscience Explaining to the media in Parliament why he voted the way he did, he said, “This is the one time I have a say. I said in accordance with my conscience, my friends who are AFC people and who are APNU people I have nothing against you, but the AFC team has disappointed me terribly. “I did not work so hard to put them in power so that they can run around and live the good life and mess with the people.” He said that it was yes to everything with AFC parliamentarians having little say with their coalition partner. According to Persaud, this was not what he signed up for.
Charrandass Persaud left Guyana yesterday, hours after crucial no-confidence vote which saw the Government fall. Charrandass claimed that instead of acting, Trotman the lives of sugar workers in defended Minister Lawrence. his village in Berbice were While Lawrence, who is destroyed “and I can’t live the Chairperson of the PNCR with that. So if I die now apologized, it appeared that because people may not be Trotman was “pissed” on and happy with what I’ve done, I the rest of the AFC were will die a happy person. I’ll forced to endure it, an have a clear conscience.” incensed Charrandass He was critical of Volda complained. Lawrence’s much publicized He said that he was upset statements that she would by the vote on the Prime only employ PNC (People’s Minister’s Pension Bill. The National Congress Reform) Bill was to give Prime Minister people. Hamilton Green a proper That issue so incensed pension. Charrandass that he Charrandass said that complained to his party leader, during the discussions and Vice President Raphael subsequent vote on that Trotman. issue, his party did not have Charrandass said that (Continued on page 64)
We have been betrayed, but respect outcome of the motion- PM Nagamootoo The Alliance For Change (AFC) yesterday said that it is “shocked and betrayed” by the vote of Charrandass Persaud in the National Assembly. The party claimed Persaud never expressed that he had lost confidence in the APNU+AFC Coalition Government. According to AFC, to the contrary, Persaud committed, on more than one occasion that he will vote resoundingly against the motion. Further, AFC recalled that just two weeks ago, Persaud voted in favour of Budget 2019 and the Coalition Government’s plans for development and progress. AFC said that it regrets the dissenting vote of Persaud and sought to assure all Guyanese that at no time did the party have any indi-
cation whatsoever, either from Persaud or otherwise, that he would vote in any way other than firmly against the motion. The AFC acknowledged that “this unforeseen development would have come as a shock to many Guyanese in Guyana and the Diaspora” and that persons “would be distraught and hurt by it.” AFC said that the Disciplinary Committee has met and expelled Persaud and the party has initiated the process of his recall as a Member of Parliament. Pursuant to the constitutional requirement for elections, the party has begun to plan, prepare and mobilize. Also, AFC revealed that it held an internal executive meeting yesterday and will soon engage its supporters and coalition partner, A
Patnership for National Unity (APNU). The AFC reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and said that in this season, peace and goodwill will prevail. In a shocking move, Persaud voted ‘yes’ allowing the opposition to secure 33 votes in favour of the motion. With this new development, General Elections are constitutionally due within 90 days. Prime Minister Nagamootoo told the media that until that time, the Government remains in office. However, he was keen to call on Guyanese to respect the outcome of the motion, and to conduct their business as usual. The no-confidence motion was filed by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in November.
Sunday December 23, 2018
Telecoms liberalization deadline looms…
Govt, GTT reach agreement on spectrum allocation – Hughes Scenes from the historic successful no confidence motion brought against the APNU+AFC Government Minister of Public Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , Catherine Hughes, said Government remains on track to reach an agreement with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) to liberalize the telecommunication sector. Hughes told Kaieteur News that earlier this month, the Government met with executives from GTT and its parent company, US-owned Atlantic Tele-Network (ATN). “We have had very good discussions…I am very happy with how it has gone,” Hughes explained. The Minister indicated that the talks continue with GTT that has a monopoly on landlines and international calls.Since coming to office in 2015, the Government promised to break the monopoly, but encountered some sticking points, including the fact that GTT was demanding an agreement on the award of spectrum as part of a deal. Hughes has promised to break the monopoly by the end of this year. With only a few days remaining in the year to close the deal, Hughes is still confident of meeting the timeline. “They have made request
for spectrum and so the main one was the spectrum issue and I am happy that there was agreement on that,” Hughes noted. The Minister indicated that there are still some issues in terms of the actual implementation and it could be some time before a joint position is made public. Guyana is desperately trying to open up the market to allow new competitors into the industry. In July 2016, Guyana managed to pass key legislation, the Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s (Amendment) Bill 15/2016. Negotiations with GTT started in December 2016. In January, last, the Telecommunications Minister indicated that Government will not be rushed.With anger at the seeming sloth of investments, like the unrolling of landlines in un-served areas by GTT, the delays in concluding the negotiations have been causing unease. With tax breaks and other issues with GRA, the telephone company had been holding out for a number of concessions. Government was mindful of the implications that would result from giving special treatment to GTT. In fact, Hughes had indicated that any concession granted to GTT will be offered to all operators in the
West Watooka man fatally... From page 7 wound in the left side chest, was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex where he died shortly after whilst receiving medical attention.The suspects known by the aliases “Giddie” and “Gazza” are being sought by police. Other reports from informed sources indicated that following the accidental spilling of alcohol by the deceased, one of the suspects left the group and went to his mother’s house. While there, the deceased, who was reportedly armed with a piece of wood, followed the suspect and became verbally abusive.He allegedly chucked the suspect’s mother, after she spoke to him about his behaviour. One of the suspects then allegedly stabbed the deceased to his heart.Peters was described as ‘a nice person’ and several took to social media to express condolences to the family.
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Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes sector.“There will be no special privileges,” Minister Hughes stressed.She had warned that the “focus” is not getting the negotiation done in the shortest span of time, but making sure that there is an “end game” that suits everyone. Hughes said that the Government is “extremely careful” to ensure that there
is a deal with which everyone is happy.GTT’s major competitor is Digicel, which has also expressed an interest in landing a fibre optic cable. Digicel has been aggressive, too, in competing with GTT on the mobile market. But under the current arrangement, it is supposed to route foreign calls through GTT.
Dem boys seh...
Charranrass mek nuff people can’t sleep De no confidence motion should be a lesson and a wake up call fuh all politicians. De APNU+KFC didn’t see what was coming. Charranrass vote on de motion, change de dynamics of party politics in Guyana. De coalition become different people. Dem boys seh as soon as dem go in office, dem behave like kings and queens. All of a sudden dem was bigger than dem friends who dem use to talk to. Dem was people you could call any time of day and dem use to answer de phone. As soon as dem tek office, dem don’t even want to hear ‘bout a telephone call. Nicolette was one. A reporter call she two time. One time, she tell de reporter dat de reporter must talk to she through she secretary.De next time, she tell de reporter dat she don’t have time to answer any reporter question. When de Waterfalls boss man complain to Jordan about an injustice done to an individual, Jordan tun and tell him, not in a nice way, the he and de individual can seek redress through de courts.Greenidge get so pompous dat when dem boys ask him when he gon release de MOU he sign wid China, he tun and tell dem whenever he feels like then he will release it.Volda mek a statement dat she only giving jobs to she party people. Dat upset nuff people including Charranrass who end up kicking dem ass. De Patterson was anodda one. When you call him, he refuse to answer ee phone once he see you number. He is one who mek promise he never intend to keep. Nuff things write about de renovated airport and he never utter one word. He promise to carry reporters on a tour and he never did.Now Charranrass carry dem pon a tour. Dem boys hope dem feel de same way like de people dem treat bad.If dem boys been when de no confidence motion pass and see some of dem crying, dem boys woulda hand almost all of dem a towel soak in pepper fuh wipe dem eye. Soulja Bai is de only one in dat coalition wouldn’t get de pepper towel. Talk half and watch de politicians next move.
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Govt. has itself to blame; it was drunk on power – Dr. Hinds By Kiana Wilburg “I was hoping the decision would have been different. But I am not surprised by the outcome of the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) No-Confidence
…Says WPA to discuss breaking ranks for 2019 elections Motion… The Coalition was already deteriorating from within…” Those sentiments were expressed by Executive
Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds, just moments after the successful passage of the Opposition’s No-
Confidence Motion against the APNU+AFC Administration. The success of the PPP motion was due to the
supporting vote of Alliance For Change (AFC), Member, Charrandass Persaud. Dr. Hinds said the fact that one can vote against his own, exposed the weakness of the Coalition. “I always said that the intra-coalition relations were destroyed.” “The government has to take full responsibility for what happened. With such a slim majority, they governed as though they had a super majority. All of the coalition members did not feel a sense of ownership of the government. Therefore, the entire management of the coalition was just filled with mistakes. “I have always said that when different parties come together, you have to be delicate. And with such a slim majority in the House, you need to be cautious about your policies…” Dr. Hinds said that there were those in Government who recognized that the coalition was crumbling, “but those in charge were so drunk and seduced by power hence they couldn’t see this motion coming or its success.” The political commentator said that the WPA will have to make a decision on whether it will go to the 2019 elections with the coalition or not. He said that his party has not been active with the APNU, nor has the APNU tried to be active with the WPA. “We have a divergence meeting and will take a decision if we are going to leave or stay,” said Dr. Hinds. Further to this, he said that the success of the Opposition’s No-Confidence Motion comes as a blow to those who believe in coalition politics. He said, too, that what the outcome exposes is the fact that the coalition underestimated the political acumen of the PPP. “When the coalition went to elections, the PPP was badly wounded. When the APNU+AFC Party got into power, the PPP was able to move from being a party that was battered and bruised to bringing down the Government in three years. “And they were winning all the arguments; from wages to sugar to authoritarianism…They are probably the first political party in the Caribbean to do what they did…” The WPA Executive Member said that the Government has no one but itself to blame for its fall from grace. TAKEN FOR GRANTED For some time now, Dr. Hinds has lamented the fact that the Working People’s Alliance was taken for granted by its other coalition
WPA Executive Member, Dr. David Hinds partners, particularly the People’s National Congress (PNC). He even said that the WPA’s role in government is minimal. “We have one Minister, one Presidential Advisor and Chairs of Boards of two state institutions, NICIL and GuySuCo. “In addition, Dr. Clive Thomas heads the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU). I think in each of those institutions, despite challenges, our representatives have been trying to bring to bear WPA’s larger praxis of fairness, justice for the poor and the powerless and transparency.” Speaking to the performance of Professor Thomas thus far, Dr. Hinds commented that his presence in the policy-making set up at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) brought some common sense to the sugar industry. Despite some problems at the level of implementation, he contended that for the first time, the nation witnessed willingness from the leaders of the day to break out of the political stranglehold in which the sugar industry has been mired. He emphasized that clearly, Thomas’ leadership has made a difference in the larger vision for sugar. On the issue of State asset recovery, Dr. Hinds said that the SARU CEO has also led the way. “I think he has singlehandedly placed the issue on the front burner and put us on the brink of a major breakthrough in that area of Government fight against public corruption,” expressed the University Professor. In the area of education, the political activist said that the Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine has begun to move the education praxis in a more democratic direction whereby more emphasis is placed on the children at the bottom of the social ladder. He noted that the reintroduction of music into the schools is another way of Continued on page 63
Sunday December 23, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Sunday December 23, 2018
Govt. will abide by constitutional requirements -- President Granger President David Granger said, yesterday, that the Government of Guyana, following the passing of the noconfidence motion in the National Assembly, will abide by the stipulations, which have been imposed on it. The Head of State made it clear that his government will embark on discussions with its coalition partners, the Alliance For Change (AFC) and those who are part of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). “We will do everything necessary to facilitate the smooth functioning of General and Regional Elections, bearing in mind the need for normal governmental functions to continue uninterrupted,” President Granger said. Article 106 (7) of the Constitution of Guyana states, “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the elections.”The President said, too, that he is anxious to engage Opposition Leader, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on any concerns he may have. He assured the Guyanese people “that this is not a crisis, which could dissolve into any type of confrontation.”“Mr. Jagdeo contacted the Minister of State and a meeting will be arranged as early as possible so that his concerns can be addressed,” the Head of State added. The President added, “This is a constitutional process, which can have favourable outcomes for the nation… There is no cause for alarm and there are no grounds for any form of disorder. We will continue to work to provide a good government and deliver public services to the people and to work even more closely with the opposition”. President Granger disclosed, too, that he met with some Ministers yesterday morning. These will henceforth be engaging the AFC ministers, he added.
Drunken getaway car driver further remanded to jail …pastor remains in hospital in serious condition The car driver who struck down popular Berbice pastor, Cecil Agard, and drove away, has been further remanded to jail. Gavin Saunders, 51, of 30 Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, reappeared before Magistrate Alex Moore in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s on Friday where bail was again refused and he was further remanded to jail until January 10. He is so far facing five charges - driving motorcar PPP 2518 while being under the influence of alcohol, failing to stop after an accident, failing to render assistance, driving an uninsured motor vehicle and driving an unlicensed motor vehicle. All this happened on Sunday December 9, around 20:00 hrs, on the Sheet Anchor Public Road, East Canje, Berbice. Prosecutor Inspector Bernard Brown told the court that Pastor Agard is still in a serious condition in the New Amsterdam Hospital. The serious nature of the offence and the fact that the pastor’s leg is fractured in four places fueled grounds for bail denial. It has also been discovered that pastor Agard has suffered a fractured shoulder.
Pastor Cecil Agard Pastor Agard, 76 of 73 Nurseville/Tucber Park Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, Berbice is the founder of the Faith Deliverance Tabernacle Church of the same address, was on his way home after praying for some believers. The pastor was on his motorcycle CF 9858 when he was struck down by the heavily tinted speeding motor car on the Sheet Anchor Public Road. His right leg was crushed and even as he laid there bleeding on the ground, the vehicle turned off its lights and accelerated from the scene. Agard was picked up by Continued on page 62
Sunday December 23, 2018
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The Govt. has fallen: The leaders have only themselves to blame The APNU+AFC coalition government has fallen. At a personal level, I am disappointed that the government that I helped to bring to power, that I sacrificed for, that I voted for, that I supported, was not given the opportunity to finish its full term. Like a few others, I had been an early victim of this government—marginalized from participation by the orders of the high and mighty, only because I dared to say the government was wrong. But that did not prevent me from continuing to support the Coalition— for me, politics is never about the individual actor only. Ultimately it is about something bigger than the individual. It took a lot to stomach the marginalization, largely because most of the people who controlled the power never fought for it, Power fell into their laps, and their first victims were those who helped to create the conditions for them to wield power. When some of us fought back against the PPP, many in the AFC were still PPP, while others were comfortable professionals who would not even go near to a picket line. Many in the PNC had surrendered. Others were violently opposed to the formation of APNU. Still others were nowhere near protests. But as soon as we handed them the instruments of power, they went crazy, and in three short years, they destroyed it all. So, I am not surprised that the government fell the way it did. I don’t blame Charrandass Persaud, although I would not have voted the way he did. He expressed the frustrations many of us felt, both at the personal and political levels. I watch from close-up the disrespect meted out to small parties. My party, the WPA felt the full force of it. They closed down APNU to deny us a voice in decision-making. They shoved us around. They ignored us. They fired our representative from his
post of Minister of Education. They then took advantage of his illness to block another WPA member from serving in Cabinet. The feeling of marginalization that Charrandass expressed is all too well known to some of us. This government had great disdain for consultation. The AFC leadership went along with it. That party’s top leadership abandoned its independent voice and chose power over principle. They failed to listen to their own independent voices from within. They forced Nigel Hughes away, because he dared to ask them to be more independent. In the end, that neglect of their expressed promise to be independent, brought the government down. Readers of this column, and my other media comments, would know that I constantly complained about the nonsense that small parties brought nothing to the table and so their marginalization was justified. I complained about the Coalition being transformed into a PNC front. But they cared not about the consequences. In the end, it was one member of a small party that brought the government down. They told the country how the coalition was strong, but they knew full well that that was not the case. It took Jagdeo’s no-confidence motion and Persaud’s vote of dissent to expose the lie. The truth is that the top leadership managed intra-coalition relations very badly. It is now acknowledged among politically sane and honest observers that the PPP has done something remarkable—it has turned the political tide in its favour. No political party in our Caribbean has been able to “get itself out of jail” in such a short period. The case against the PPP for government overreach, ethnic domination and corruption was so compelling, it helped to lure some of its tra-
ditional supporters into voting for a coalition of parties, including its archenemy, the PNC. It was the PPP that was fighting for its life in 2015. Now a mere three years later, the victors in the mini-revolution of 2015 have lost power. So, can the Coalition win the election next year? This will be the defining question until election day. For me, from this vantage point, the Coalition with the current mindset would have a most difficult time accomplishing that task. A Coalition that wants to run on demonizing Jagdeo and on memory of the bad PPP days will only get so far. The PNC’s base would no doubt be excited by such a thrust, but that base alone cannot carry the Coalition to victory. So, I would suggest from now on that mindless demonization of the PPP and Jagdeo should not be central to the Coalition’s message. It represents nothing beyond empty rhetoric to excite the base—it does not attract many votes outside of the base. It is not that the PPP and the country should not be reminded of what that party did when in office—they must be reminded. But if that is all the Coalition must run on, or if that is at the centre of the message, then they are in very bad shape. I was mildly encouraged by the Coalition’s statement on the eve of the no-confidence vote. The statement mentioned in passing “missteps and challenges” and went on to enumerate the accomplishments of the government. I was less impressed with the list of accomplishments, which I view as routine stuff that all governments are expected to do. The question which the statement did not answer is this—how have those things translated into raising the quality of life of the various publics? You win elections with messages that appeal to people’s deep sense of transformation— how have their individual and collective lives been politi-
The Baccoo Speaks The coming days will see a small impact on the shopping for the Christmas holidays. People who were bent on really putting out the works are now cutting back because of a recent disappointment. At the same time tension will be high, but wiser counsel will prevail. ** The madness on the roads will continue. People who should have been en-
joying the holidays will be in pain. Another road accident will send some people to the hospital. A car would be trans-
porting s o m e r e v e l e r s when it would collide with a fixed object. Alcohol would be to blame. ** Robberies will escalate as young gunm e n s e e k to capitalize on shoppers. But it would not be plain sailing, especially for a group that would clash with a police patrol. In another case there will be some arrests soon after a robbery.
cally, economically or culturally transformed. In other words, I am saying the Coalition must find a transformative message that is based on truth and reality. That is why I like the “missteps and challenges” part of the statement. Any effective Coalition message for the election, must start with an acknowledgement of the mistakes that were made. And such acknowledgement must be grounded in humility, and it must accept responsibility. Not the Volda Lawrence type of apology, but one with a respectful and thoughtful ring to it. But that must be followed by a believable promise not to repeat the mistakes. In this regard, I think there
is need for some freshness at the centre of the Coalition collective to inspire fresh hope. Whatever happens at the head of the Coalition’s ticket in three months, there must be a more active role for Carl Greenidge. He has the profile and the intellectual grasp to help manage an oil and gas economy, and to help restore confidence in the Coalition to craft a transformative trajectory in the near and medium terms. He is one of the few Ministers to have escaped the mess that has enveloped the Coalition. If he is moved from the shadows to the centre of Coalition decision-making, it could re-inspire confidence among independents of all ethnic groups.
Dr. David Hinds More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www . guyana caribbean politics . news. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com
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Sunday December 23, 2018
The man who vanished ten years ago on Christmas Day The pepperpot and black cake were on the table…but where was Michael Harris? By Michael Jordan I guess you know about the Marie Celeste, but if you don’t, that was the American ship whose captain, passengers and seven-man crew vanished without a trace, back in December 1872. And that brings me to another December mystery,
more recent and closer to home. It began on Christmas Day of 2008 at a two-storey house located at Lot 607 Hippani Oval, Retrieve, Linden. The bottom flat was occupied by Michael Harris, a 58year-old contractor who was
also the caretaker of the premises, which belonged to an overseas-based Guyanese. A female acquaintance of the owner lived in the top flat. The story that relatives have been told is that sometime that day, Harris climbed onto his bicycle and travelled to Wismar, where he had a
‘Christmas drink’ with a friend. Word is that the contractor was once a hard drinker. But earlier in the year, an intoxicated Harris had tumbled off his bicycle and almost drowned in the Demerara River. That had caused him to drastically reduce his alcohol consumption. So, when he met up with his friend at Wismar, Michael Harris reportedly only drank a Malta. According to reports, the contractor then rode to Poker Street, Wismar, where he had a drink with another friend. This time, it is alleged that he took a small amount of alcohol. Mr. Harris reportedly then visited a third friend at Christianburg/Wismar. The second friend would later tell relatives that Harris had passed his way again, and that he had observed that Harris’ clothes were soiled with mud. The friend concluded that Harris had fallen somewhere during his journey. Later in the day, one of Harris’ sisters called his home to wish her brother a merry Christmas. When the landline rang out, she tried to reach him on his mobile phone, but no one answered. About two days later, the relative again tried to contact Harris on the landline at his home. It is alleged that this time, the woman who lived in the upper flat informed the caller that Mr. Harris had gone out on Christmas Day but had not returned. The concerned
Wayne Harris: Still seeking answers to his father’s disappearance. relative contacted Wayne Harris, one of the missing man’s sons. Wayne Harris contacted another brother and they travelled to the home at Linden where their father resided. Wayne Harris said that when they entered their father’s apartment, they found everything intact. There was pepperpot and black cake on the table. According to Wayne Harris, they visited the woman who lived in the upper flat. She reportedly revealed that she was in possession of the missing man’s mobile phone. Wayne Harris’ story is that the woman said that after his father failed to return home, she went into his flat and retrieved his phone. Worried relatives then widened
the search by checking at the hospitals and even in the cemetery for any sign of their missing father. They found none. They placed advertisements on the radio and television. Callers responded by giving the family several leads about the contractor’s whereabouts. All proved to be false. Wayne Harris said that about a month later, a man confided to them that he was scouring the abandoned mines for ‘metal’ to sell when he came across a bag, which appeared to contain human bones. According to the son, this information was conveyed to ranks at the Mackenzie Police Station and they confirmed that the man had given them a similar report. But he alleged that the policemen claimed that they had checked the area, but failed to find the bag of ‘bones.’ Harris said that he and other relatives checked the vast abandoned bauxite mines. They, too, found nothing. To date, not a trace of the contractor or his bicycle has been found. Wayne Harris was less than complimentary when he spoke about the efforts police made to locate his father. He alleged that the police ignored information that family members provided about two possible suspects. He’s convinced that someone murdered his father, who disappeared on Christmas Day just as if the earth had opened up and swallowed him.
Sunday December 23, 2018
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APNU+AFC proved to be not fit and proper David Granger’s infamous or famous (depending on your perspective) words have come back to haunt him. Who is fit and proper? Parliament didn’t think the APNU+AFC government was fit and proper, so it voted it out of office. Even if you do not like the PPP, it is hard to see the ruling two parties that have just been voted out through a noconfidence motion as fit and proper governors. The concatenation of mistakes, incompetence, reckless spending, pulverization of poor people, neoliberal insensitivities, profanities, irregularities, stupidities was overwhelming. It made them not fit and proper to continue. Where does the analyst start in the enumeration process of the things they did that made then not fit and proper? I will list a sample. This is just my perspective. I would start with the place I know best – University of Guyana. UG is more badly run than when the PPP was in power. In its history, UG never spent money so lavishly and recklessly as we currently see. A poor country like Guyana cannot afford such extravagant outlay of scarce resources. And the rundown nature of UG continues. Next would be law and order and the rule of law. I do not think the judicial system and the rule of law have had their images improved under the APNU+AFC government.
Crime and police misconduct may have worsened under the post-2015 dispensation. Improper conduct among power-holders has not abated since the PPP fell. When the PPP was in power, Bheri Ramsarran was removed as minister because he threatened to slap a female activist. Such a possibility does not exist with this current crop of rulers. In fact, Ramsarran just threatened. There are ministers who would slap, and I doubt they would ever be castigated, muchless lose his/her job. In fact there have been incidents in the interior where at least one minister is said to have assaulted persons. Philistine behaviour that so characterized the PPP’s tenure has continued into the reign of APNU+AFC. It was a minister that brought the fake Santa Claus into the National Assembly. Minister Broomes’ incident at New Thriving at Providence went unpunished. Ironically, Broomes was one of the speakers selected to argue against the no-confidence motion. That was not a fit and proper thing to do, because Broomes herself makes you want to ask the question if she is fit and proper to hold ministerial office. Volda Lawrence’s dangerous histrionics went unpunished. Justice Holder had a confrontation with the Attorney-General in the High Court. In so many instances, the APNU+AFC leaders demon-
strated that they were not fit and proper to rule Guyana. Lovely puppies were put to death at the Correia airport because passengers arriving at Ogle were told to produce documents to show that the pups were born in Guyana. Passengers were taken by surprise. Had they known about it, then they could have made arrangements to get the necessary papers. The killing of these pups went on for two consecutive weeks. Even the APNU+AFC rag, the Chronicle, had a conscience and published photographs of the executed pets. Not one minister intervened. That was not surprising. Philistines were elected after 2015
and philistines have no soul. If you have no soul you cannot love an animal. Philistines are not fit and proper to administer the affairs of state in any country in the world. The judicial system is in turmoil, but not one minister is capable of seeing what is happening in the magistrates’ courts. After two violent prison uprisings, not one minister of APNU+AFC has spoken out at the nonsense some magistrates are doing. Young, young offenders are being sent to jail for petty crimes. In some instances, such cruel decisions could only have taken place in Guyana. A seventeen-year-old is jailed for four years for stealing $8000.
If such judicial abominations had taken place under the PPP’s rule, the AFC and PNC would have run to the world to tell it that Guyana is a hell hole under the PPP. There are two occasions of the misrule of the APNU+AFC coalition that I find funny. One is the large billboards around Guyana with the face of the Finance Minister announcing the coming of the 2018 budget. I was driving past Liliendaal and didn’t see it clearly, so I thought it was an advertisement of Jay-Z coming to Guyana. The other was really hilarious. President Granger, when asked how Dr. Bynoe
Frederick Kissoon will run the Energy Department when he isn’t qualified in that area, said; “don’t worry, Bynoe will find people who know about oil and gas.” People who are not fit and proper lost their jobs on Friday night
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Sunday December 23, 2018
The benefits of an efficient local content policy to create value for Guyana (On Saturday December 8, the Shipping Association of Guyana hosted its 8th Awards Presentation ceremony for operators in Guyana’s shipping and cargo industry. The featured speaker was renowned Attorney-at-Law, C.A. Nigel Hughes. Here is the first of two parts (abridged) of that timely address.) Recently UNESCO added Reggae music to its compendium of the ‘intangible cultural heritage of the world’. This was no mean feat. Reggae, home grown, home developed, home marketed and by the sheer force, power and potency of the product, has covered the world with its message of rhythm, peace, love, human rights, justice, dignity and mutual respect for each other. You don’t get better local content than that. Reggae created for the Jamaican tourist industry what Millions of dollars spent on generic marketing in Ja-
maica could not achieve. It did that without state support or local content legislation. Its pioneers, long before Marley, were confident in themselves and their product. They were bold and audacious. Permit me to quote a line from celebrated Jamaican dance hall artiste, Buju Banton who has returned with his talents to Jamaica: “I and I, I wanna rule my destiny”. So here we are in Guyana in 2018, beneficiaries of a beneficence of world class proportions, gifted with a small population and more than adequate land mass, arguing about how poorly we will manage this gift from God, with frequent predictions that we won’t get it right. We have, perhaps unwittingly, displayed the poverty of our minds to the world by our inability to engage each other on how we will develop this resource. The constant mantra pub-
lished almost daily in the news is that we “ain’t getting this right”. It’s as if we say this often enough we will indeed create that destiny. Poverty is a state of mind. What you think about most is who you are, and what you achieve. Guyana has been inundated by experts, both local and international, coming with recommendations about what we have to do to avoid every curse known to oil, and what we have to do to catch up with the world. Well, my friends, I have a slightly different approach. We don’t just want to catch up, we want to surpass what currently exists in the world. This requires a change of mindset, a change of approach and in some instances, a change in some aspects of our culture. This applies not only to oil and gas development but to our national development over the next quarter of a Century.
There has been much debate about local content since the first announcements of oil discoveries in May 2015. From the inception, local content has meant different things to different persons. For some, all the jobs generated by the industry had to be first offered to Guyanese. For some, the companies incorporated to provide goods and services for the oil and gas industry had to have local directorships. For some, the ownership of the companies which operate in the industry had to have significant Guyanese equity, and for others, most of the goods and services provided to the industry had to originate from Guyana. And in a style which we seemed to have made our own, we started shouting at each other about local content and each person in the conversations meant something different. One had hoped that for a country which had no history of oil and gas production, that perhaps we might have been driven to agree on a few baseline definitions and objectives
before we started a national conversation on local content. To add further dislocation, the contretemps about local content was positioned against the raging dispute about the rate of Royalty which Guyana had just negotiated with the major operator, and which many believed was inadequate. And so our oil and gas games began before a population which did not have a clue about the production of oil and gas, the nature, the scope and magnitude of the discovery in Guyana, no history to call upon, with the most popular images of conditions generated from significant oil finds which ranged from wealthy Dubai at one end of the scale to poverty in the Nigerian Delta at the other end. Daily, various experts, whether self proclaimed or otherwise, offer their opinions in the national media of how dire our condition is as a result of the discovery of oil, expounding on the less than optimal results from negotiating with an oil major on the production agreement, and
less than adequate preparation for any potential disasters. And daily, the population with no base data or framework against which to locate the various dramatic headlines, is being fed a diet of gloom – the almost certain corruption, exploitation, incompetence and greed that lie ahead of us. It is open season on why this nation is doomed even before we start as an oil and gas producing country. I almost forgot to add our (in)ability to manage our politics fifty years after independence, our (in)ability to manage large national projects whether it is Skeldon, the gold industry, infrastructural development and access to our natural resources which all enjoyed a less than stellar performance… So it’s against this backdrop that I will endeavor to address the issue of creating value through local content in our imminent oil and gas industry... (To be continued with his recommendations) The AFC wishes every Guyanese a joyous, positive Christmas.
Sunday December 23, 2018
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Kaieteur News
My column
The collapse that was not foreseen The die is cast. There must be elections within three months. All the attacks against the government for underperforming have come down to a no-confidence motion that at the start seemed unlikely to succeed. No one catered for a disgruntled member of the government team. And this disgruntled member pretty much kept his views to himself until it was time for him to vote on the motion. Needless to say, his action has caused disappointment in the hearts of many and joy in the hearts of an equal number. The opposition People’s Progressive Party was not prepared to sit in the opposition with the coming of oil. Its leaders want to be in control of the oil money. I have not analysed the presentations in the House on Friday, but I do know that the result proved that a coalition is always an unholy alliance. Sardonically, one must realize that the Alliance For Change did help effect the change in government in 2015. Three years later, it helped remove the very government. Complacency might have been the cause. Was the party in close contact with its parliamentarians? I doubt it, although Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo claimed that he and Charrandass Persaud were at a social function rubbing shoulders on Sunday. Did he heed the intelligence provided to him? Certainly not, because he would have known that Persaud was a shadowy fig-
ure within his party. Both Nagamootoo and Ramjattan claimed that the man never voiced any discontent, but this man has friends and he did speak with many of them. It was also established that he was hobnobbing with supporters of the PPP, but being Guyanese, we do not take those things for anything. We simply contend that a man can have friends, regardless of their political affiliation. The deed is done, however. All eyes must focus on the impending General Elections. These elections have been described as the Mother of all elections by Finance Minister Winston Jordan. And he is right. When oil comes to the surface there will be money to do so many things. There should be much better pay for public servants, money for massive infrastructure development, and a modicum of improvement for senior citizens. Some of these things were already happening, and there was the promise of even more by the present government. None can fault the roads in the city. These were in such deplorable state for decades. Now people take them for granted. Despite all the talk about slow business, cars are selling, shops are full, and once one has money one can achieve anything. Because of the economy, people board airplanes like a shopper boarding a bus to the market.
Such is the rate that hardly a plane leaves without a full load. And to crown it, people are coming home in increasing numbers, something that was missing up until recently. There are mutterings about the failure of the Granger administration to prosecute people suspected of corrupt acts to the point that some of them raided the Treasury. I learnt that while there is evidence, it is difficult to get the person to court. Further, the special prosecutors were not working. Many of them were friends with the people who are supposed to face the court. Should the government lose the elections, people would see a rash of prosecutions, even if these go nowhere, as has been the case in previous times. The previous government was deemed to be very corrupt and very partial to those in the inner circle. Supporters of the new government wanted the same from their party, failing to realize that what is wrong at one time cannot be right at another. The result is that I have heard many of them saying that they will not vote when the elections are called. I take my vote seriously. I learnt of the days when only property owners had the right to vote. They determined the fate of the rest of the population. Universal Adult Suffrage
came and all got that right to vote. It was a right that was fought for. For me to throw that fight behind me would be a travesty. But having said that, I cannot ignore the fact that there were people in the government who seemed to remove themselves from people with whom they once associated. People do not take kindly to being slighted. To get them back on track could be a Herculean task. At present, a damper has been put on Christmas 2018. Up until Friday the shops were filled with shoppers. The mood on the streets was upbeat; people were bent on having a most joyous Christmas, especially since many of them received pay increases that they were demanding. One day later, it was as if the Grinch had stolen those people’s Christmas. The crowds had almost disappeared. It was as if people were now saving their money for the future, and I don’t blame them. I remember Christmas 1997. The elections had just ended and there were protests. The then Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte said to his supporters that there
would be no Christmas that year. Believe it or not, that was one of the least joyous Christmases. Suffice it to say that the man who helped put the damper on Christmas is heading to Canada, if he is not there already. And should the PPP win the upcoming elections, one can expect that all the charges currently facing people would be dropped. The PPP would see to that. It happened before. Those who were critical of Bharrat Jagdeo can expect a torrid time from his government. It had happened before. Government officials called places of employment and ordered them to terminate people deemed opposition elements. It mattered not that
Adam Harris A. A. these were private places. After all, they had to import, and the government has a big say on imports. People like me will do more than survive, because I am who I am, and my hands are clean. The coming months will be interesting.
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“Transforming the Economy, Empowering People, Building Sustainable Communities for the Good Life” (Excerpts from a statement in support of Budget 2019 by Hon. Ronald Bulkan MP) The guiding philosophy of this administration’s approach to regional development, is to reduce the disparities between the living conditions and access to social services between our hinterland and coastland populations. The overarching obligation of the Ministry of Communities in this context is to continuously provide necessary technical support toward the realisation of the strategic objective (s) of the core Programmes of Education, Public Health, Public Infrastructure and Agriculture. Budget 2019 provides the sum of $39.322 billion for capital expenditure for the regions, representing an increase of approx. 16% over 2018. There have been increases for every region and in every sector, i.e. Public Health, Education, Public Infrastructure, Agriculture and Administration. These resources will empower our regions to better utilise the strategic advantages in unlocking the potential for innovation, growth, development and diversification of regional
economies. One area of great significance is the regional agricultural programme which is new to the regions. This programme has been responsible for stimulating agricultural production, aquaculture and with it, job creation. Budget 2019 constructively references the Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD). The PARDs are critical in ensuring bottom-up, consultative led regional development. Communities and their desires will be accounted for by regional democratic councils in their decisions for regional development. The introduction of the PARDs, and its related processes has heightened the demand for capacity and institutional building support, in areas such as the establishment of planning and procurement units to support PARD formulation, management, Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) implementation, and other catalytic development initiatives of the regions. The regional development agenda is also guided by the principle of expanded participation in decision making to enable the regions to
be effective, in keeping with the policy of decentralisation. With this objective in view, the Ministry will focus on strengthening the capacities of regional structures to be better able to provide sustainable development-related services; the institutionalisation of the Regional Agriculture and Commercial Exhibitions and other mechanisms such as the Regional Development Consultative Committee and NRDCC. The Leader of the Opposition is of the view that the 2019 budget came up short on plans for the emerging sector. Clearly, he did not give serious consideration to what was presented; not unusual I would observe. Budget 2019 has clearly articulated the vision of the government; a vision which resides with the people; the removal of a centralised decision-making model to one of community participation and cooperation that will enhance local economic development and selfdetermination. These reported claims are preposterous and unfortunate, considering the fact that local government stagnation occurred under the previous administration (the PPP), when and where the concept
of local governance was virtually non-existent. The Leader of the Opposition even had the audacity to say and I quote, “it’s a disappointing budget that did not fulfil a single one of the objectives that would be important to the well-being of our people.” If the Opposition Leader was really concerned about the well-being of Guyanese people, then he would not have encouraged elected local leaders to not participate in rebuilding the system which will only redound to their benefit and communities at large. Suggesting that the 2019 budget is “tone deaf” is a deliberate attempt at undermining the empowerment of our people; of undermining the empowerment of constituencies, and is perhaps the best example of the “lack of vision”. The campaign of the opposition for the just concluded local government elections represented a display of ironies and contradictions. The irony being that all across the country candidates were stating, “citizen participation”, “greater accountability”, “community involvement in identification, planning and execution of projects within your area”, emanating from a party (the PPP) of Interim Management Committees and the non-holding of LGE for 22 years. Then came the contradictions, “No New taxes”, while simultaneously committing to “working towards better infrastructure including: Roads, drainage, bridges, and maintenance of recreation facilities etc.” How more divorced from reality can we get? Every citizen of this land is aware that the ma-
jor constraint to councils delivering quality services, is the limited resources at their disposal. These pronouncements represent the philosophy of the opposition for local governance, of control, for he who pays the piper calls the tune. Candidates prior to the election and the convening of a council to deliberate on the community interest and priorities were emphatic; we will NOT be doing such and such; Why? Because they are in receipt of instructions from Robb Street NOT to exercise their constitutional right to autonomy and to develop their own programmes. This is the fundamental difference between the PPPC and the APNU + AFC coalition; we (APNU+AFC) have no inclination to instruct duly elected representatives of communities. They have a mandate from the voters in their respective jurisdictions and it for them to execute it without fair or favour, for the benefit of their constituents. PARTICIPATION,INSTITUTIONALSTRENGTHENING ANDCAPACITYBUILDING In 2019, institutional strengthening, capacity building, community participation and financial autonomy will be key in consolidating and entrenching the local government agenda and ensuring sustainability. Continuing public education will serve as the vehicle for community involvement in local government jurisdictions. I wish to remind members that prior to the enactment of the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Act No. 15 of 2013 and the Local Government (Amendment) Act No. 5 of 2015, local democratic organs (LDOs) were re-
quired to seek Ministerial approval to conduct a significant amount of their daily affairs. These legislative amendments reduce the Minister’s role, allowing for greater management of LDOs by the elected representatives. The Ministerial authority exercised previously is significantly curtailed, thus allowing organs to function autonomously to a greater extent. These changes reduce the chances of interference by the central government in the daily affairs of LDOs and duly empowers the organ. “Empowering People”. This is why this budget can make this boast. Work continued in 2018 on strengthening the institution of local government and to build capacity for the delivery of effective, efficient and ethical services. In the area of financial management, an Action Round Table for Municipal Financial Management was conducted in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and the Audit Office to help councils better manage their finances. The 2018 subvention programme is fully disbursed in accordance with the Fiscal Transfer Act and organs are focused on completing the programme by end of 2018. Government has also signed a $26.2M contract to execute a pilot in New Amsterdam for the modernization of the property assessment and valuation system. This is the first part of a national assessment that will enhance the Valuation Division’s capacity to provide more effective valuation services to the LDOs.
Sunday December 23, 2018
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Knee replacement: Taking away the pains By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine For years, persons with severe arthritis to their knees had to withstand the severe pains and try pain medications that had serious side effects. Advancement in medicine now means that one can get a new knee and ease all their pains from the arthritis. Knee replacement surgery has also taken off in Guyana. We have very capable bone specialists that are doing this surgery locally. Unfortunately, quite a percentage of our population suffers from arthritis of their knee. A good proportion of them require knee replacement surgery. While some are very eager for the surgery to rid their pains, others are often skeptical because they do not know what they are getting into. Today I will shed some light on knee replacement surgery, so that those affected by severe arthritis of their knee, will be able to have a more constructive discussion with their bone specialist. WHAT IS KNEE REPLACEMENT? Knee replacement is a type of surgery in which a doctor replaces parts of a person’s knee joint with manmade parts. The knee joint is made up of the lower part of the
thigh bone (called the femur), the knee cap (called the patella), and the top part of the shinbone (called the tibia). When people have problems with their knee joint, the knee can be painful, swollen, stiff, or have trouble moving normally. Different conditions can cause problems with the knee joint. One of the most common causes is osteoarthritis, a type of arthritis that often comes with age. Knee replacement is a treatment that can reduce
knee pain and improve the way the knee works. WHEN ARE KNEE PROBLEMS TREATED WITH KNEE REPLACEMENT? Knee problems might or might not be treated with knee replacement right away. Doctors often suggest trying other treatments first. These can include weight loss, medicines, knee braces, or physical therapy. If these treatments do not help enough, doctors then suggest knee replacement.
One reason doctors suggest trying other treatments first, especially for younger people, is that a replacement knee joint can wear out over time. Knee replacements usually last at least 10 to 15 years, and some last l o n g e r. T h e n u m b e r o f years a replacement joint lasts depends on different things, such as how active the person is. WHAT HAPPENS DURING KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY?
Knee replacement takes place in an operating room in a hospital. A doctor will give you medicines to make you sleep and to numb your body. Then your doctor will make a cut down the centre on the front of the knee. He or she will replace parts of your knee joint with man-made parts made out of metal, ceramic, or plastic. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SURGERY? A f t e r s u rg e r y, m o s t people stay in the hospital for 2 days to a week. While you are in the hospital, you will get: - Medicines to treat your pain - Antibiotic medicines to prevent infections - Medicines to prevent blood clots in the legs Special boots or stockings to prevent blood clots in the legs WHAT PROBLEMS CAN PEOPLE HAVE FROM KNEE REPLACEMENT? People can have different problems right after knee replacement surgery, but serious problems are uncommon. Problems from knee replacement can include: - Blood clots in the legs – This can cause leg pain and swelling. - Infections – Symptoms of an infection can include fever, chills, pain in the knee that gets worse and worse, or knee swelling.
Dr. Zulfikar Bux If you have any of these symptoms, let your doctor or nurse know. People who have a knee replaced sometimes find that the new knee is stiff and does not bend as well as their own knee used to. This can make it hard to climb stairs or get up from a low chair. WHERE DO I GO AFTER I LEAVE THE HOSPITAL? Many people go home. But some people stay in a nursing home or rehabilitation centre for a short time in order to get stronger before going home. Wherever you go, you will need to do your exercises and have physical therapy. WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO DO MY USUALACTIVITIESAGAIN? Most people can do their usual activities again within 4 to 6 weeks of knee replacement. Your doctor will tell you if there are any activities that you should avoid. The end result is being able to live without the debilitating knee pains.
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Trump warns government shutdown could be lengthy WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On the first day of the U.S. government shutdown, President Donald Trump said he was continuing to negotiate with Democrats to end the impasse over the federal budget, but warned that “it could be a long stay” as he repeated his call for improved border security. Trump has demanded $5 billion to help finance construction of a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, something Democrats in Congress have resisted. “We are negotiating with the Democrats on desperately needed Border Security (Gangs, Drugs, Human Traf-
ficking & more) but it could be a long stay,” Trump said on Twitter on Saturday. The U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives were in session yesterday as congressional leaders tried to hammer out a spending agreement to end the stalemate. Trump invited several lawmakers - all Republicans to the White House yesterday to discuss the situation, including immigration hardliners from the House Freedom Caucus such as U.S. Representative Mark Meadows. The caucus has pressured Trump to stick to his demands for a border wall. Senate majority leader
Mitch McConnell, speaking on the Senate floor, said no votes would be held until a deal is struck by Democrats and the White House. “We pushed the pause button until the president, from whom we will need a signature, and Senate Democrats, from whom we will need votes, reach an agreement,” McConnell said. Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat, then took the floor to say Democrats would not accede to Trump’s demands. “President Trump, if you want to open the government you must abandon the wall, plain and simple,” Schumer
said. While McConnell seemed to put the onus for a deal squarely on Trump and Democrats, Schumer urged Congress’ Republican leaders to get involved in negotiations. “Leader McConnell must agree. Speaker (Paul) Ryan must agree. They cannot duck responsibility. Leader McConnell still controls this chamber. Speaker Ryan controls what reaches the floor of the House,” Schumer said. Schumer said discussions were ongoing at the staff level, but there were no outward signs that progress had been made. The shutdown went into
effect after Trump threw a wrench into the works earlier in the week by refusing to agree to a short-term funding deal cut by Democratic and Republican senators because it did not include funds for his border wall. The U.S. House of Representatives, where Republicans have a majority until Democrats take over on Jan. 3, passed a bill that included the $5 billion, but it ran aground in the Senate and the shutdown began at midnight on Friday. As the clock ticked toward Friday’s midnight deadline, Trump tried to blame Democrats. “We’re going to have a shutdown. There’s nothing we can do about that because we need the Democrats to give us their votes,” he said in a video posted to his Twitter account two hours before the deadline. Democrats repeatedly reminded Trump, and voters, that he said last week he would be “proud” to shut the government down in order to get wall funding. “President Trump has thrown a temper tantrum and now has us careening toward a ‘Trump shutdown’ over Christmas,” Schumer said on the Senate floor on Friday. About three-quarters of federal government programs are funded through to Sept. 30 next year, but the financing for all others - including the departments of Homeland Security, Justice and Agriculture - expired at midnight. Federal parks are closed and more than 400,000 federal “essential” employees in those agencies will work without pay until the dispute is resolved. Another 380,000 will be “furloughed,” meaning they are put on temporary leave. The U.S. National Parks will generally remain open with a skeleton staff, though an alert posted on the website of the National Park Service said some parks are closed completely. Republican governors in at least two states were working to make sure public restrooms get cleaned and visitor centers stay open. Law enforcement efforts, border patrols, mail delivery and airport operations will keep running. IMPASSE For the shutdown to end, both the House and the Senate will have to approve any
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deal negotiated between Trump’s team and Republican and Democratic leaders. In a joint statement on Saturday, Schumer and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said that if the shutdown continues, the new House Democratic majority will quickly pass legislation to re-open government when it takes office in January. The shutdown comes at the end of a perilous week for the president, with Defense Secretary James Mattis resigning in protest after Trump’s sudden decision to pull U.S. troops out of Syria. The Syria move was widely criticized, even by senior Republicans in Congress. The political turmoil added to fears about the economy plaguing investor sentiment, helping fuel continued heavy losses in the stock market on Friday. While Trump made the promise of building a border wall a fixture of his 2016 election campaign, it is not a toptier priority for most Americans. According to a Reuters/ Ipsos poll in late November, only 31 percent of those surveyed said improved border security should be among the top three priorities for Congress. That suggests Trump is taking a political risk by gambling on a shutdown to press his point as Democrats are gearing up for the 2020 presidential primary elections and looking for issues to seize on for an advantage. The longest federal government shutdown, lasting 21 full days, occurred in December 1995 and January 1996, triggered by conflicts between Democratic President Bill Clinton and congressional Republicans over Medicare funding and government spending. Clinton is widely viewed as having won the political battle over the shutdown, and was re-elected for a second term in 1996. In 2013, the government shut down for 16 days after conservative Republicans demanded to strip funding for or delay implementation of Democratic President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare legislation, the Affordable Care Act. Republicans suffered plunging public opinion polls and eventually capitulated, agreeing to fund the government and raise the debt limit.
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SUNDAY Three years later … Guyana without a single completed policy or modernized legislation for oil sector To ensure Guyana is able to transform its oil wealth into a blessing, the coalition administration promised, since 2015, that a number of polices would be developed, and sector specific laws updated and drafted where necessary. But after three years of making this commitment, not a single policy has been completed or a piece of legislation updated. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had noted some months ago that all matters (inclusive of policy and legislative reviews) relating to the oil sector would be dealt with by the Energy Department which is headed by Dr. Mark Bynoe. When contacted on the issue at hand, Dr. Bynoe acknowledged that indeed, many of the promised policies are incomplete and it is highly unlikely that this position would change before or on December 31, 2018. He noted that there are some policies which citizens can expect to be completed for 2019. The Energy Department head said that this is the case with the Local Content Policy. Dr. Bynoe said that the document was the subject of several rounds of consultations. He said it is nearing the final stage and a positive result can be expected in the new fiscal year. As for the modernization of Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Laws/Regulations, Dr. Bynoe noted that his office is working with the EPA on several matters but before there could be any update to the laws and regulations, a needs assessment will be completed. Dr. Bynoe asserted that a consultant is being hired for this job. As for the other laws and
Malika Hale policies, the Energy Department head said these will be done after the Department conducts a review of the existing legislative framework in an effort to identify the gaps that need to be addressed immediately, in the medium term and in the long term. This review is currently underway. He opined that with such a review, a more informative approach can be taken to craft the robust primary and supplementary policy and legislative instruments needed for the sector. The revisions are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2019. Infamous for fraud, misusing clients’ cash, overcharging customers, fined millions for lying Merrill Lynch in talks with Govt. to manage oil money Before Guyana could even pass a law to establish its Natural Resource Fund (NRF), one major corporation, Merrill Lynch, has already expressed its interest to the government, to potentially help manage the nation’s oil wealth. But this very company that is courting local officials 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.
Central Bank Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga
The house where the bodies were found 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 maneuver 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.” MONDAY Fraud, lies, and bribery by Merrill Lynch… We know and will proceed with caution on Guyana’s oil money – Central Bank Governor Central Bank Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga has categorically stated that he and his team are aware of the “troubling” past of Merrill Lynch. As such, he will proceed with caution when it comes to any interests from the American Bank in managing Guyana’s oil money. The Bank of Guyana head made this clear during an interview with this publication Sunday. 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 anything 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 our-
selves to undue risk.” The Central Bank head also stated that he and his team have taken careful note of the Sunday edition of this newspaper, which exposed aspects of Merrill Lynch’s troubling past. Failure to address deep racial division before oil, another huge mistake by Govt. – Ramson “Unfortunately, in this day and age, this is how we see each other. But one of the worst things that we can do to ourselves as a nation is to allow this sort of division to continue as we move closer to becoming an oil producing nation.” Attorney-at-law and politician, Charles Ramson Junior said this Sunday during an interview with this newspaper. He recalled his comments of Guyana’s state of ill preparedness for oil in face of the likelihood that production will begin next year. Ramson said, “Remember I spoke about the fact that the government has little in place to manage the sector? I highlighted the fact that we have absolutely no policy in place, no Sovereign Wealth Fund, no Local Content Policy and a very small budget for the Department of Energy. Well all of that is bad and tell us that we will struggle. But, just as bad is the fact that the government is doing little to nothing to address the deep racial division that exists in our country.” The former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament said that oil often brings its own
problems, “Literally too numerous to mention.” Ramson said that the government has been warned about how oil can destroy a country with ethnic rivalry. The lawyer recalled that the Carter Center had warned, in a report following the 2015 election, that the “anticipated influx of oil revenue has the potential to exacerbate ethnic and political conflicts.” Ramson said that the Carter Center spoke about that as it highlighted the need for Constitutional Reform. Cops checking leads in baffling Kuru Kururu deaths…One object used to kill couple Could Malika Hale and Alvin Butcher have used a single weapon to inflict a total of 30 stab wounds on each other? It’s a question that has baffled detectives ever since the victims were found dead in the bedroom of their Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden home last Tuesday. The initial verdict appeared to be that Hale, 34, and Butcher, 48, had somehow inflicted the wounds on each other during an argument. There were reports that Hale was still holding a pair of scissors, while a knife was on the floor. But police appear to be having second thoughts and say that the investigation remains open. According to a police official, the bodies of each victim bore some 15 stab wounds. A post mortem reportedly revealed that the wounds on (Continued on page 42)
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From page 41 the victims were inflicted with a pair of scissors, which investigators found at the scene. Hale reportedly had multiple incised wounds near the neck, heart and lungs. Butcher’s body bore similar wounds, with four of them perforating the neck, heart and lungs. ”It is a very strange case,” a source close to the investigation admitted. “We are still investigating.” According to an initial police report, at around 20:00hrs last week Monday, the couple was engaged in a heated argument in respect of a pending criminal charge against Butcher, who was charged with wounding committed of the eldest of their four children, last August. TUESDAY Demand higher levels of local content from China-funded projects–IDB tells Guyana, other Caribbean states Chinese multinational companies have often been criticized in Guyana and across the Caribbean for having ‘low local content’, that is, not hiring local labour and using only minimal amounts of locally sourced materials in their operations. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is advocating that this state of affairs needs to change. In one of its reports titled, “Chinese Rise in the Caribbean. What Does It Mean for Caribbean Stakeholders?,” the IDB said that Caribbean states must demand higher levels of local content and seek transfer of skills and know-how when engaging Chinese multinationals. The Bank pointed out that as a result of Chinese firms using low levels of local content, the development impact is reduced, especially in the case where the local unemployment rate is high and qualified local talent is displaced or underused. The IDB said it is aware that the argument used to defend low local content is that local firms in the Caribbean generally have low capacity to deliver complex and large-scale projects on time. The financial institution stressed, however, that the “low local content” proposition reduces the spending multiplier effect and does little to build know-how or add value to local resources. The Bank said it is crucial that the institutional capacity of the host country is strong in monitoring and enforcing compliance with assorted labour, environmental, and consumer safety standards
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Kaieteur News
vis-à-vis any foreign investor. It said, “Host countries have to be extra cautious in engaging with companies that either come from home environments with non-uniform application of best standards or who are still on a learning curve and adjusting to internationally recognized best practices.” The Bank added, “Some Chinese firms have been accused of being more lax in complying with environmental regulations, and given that the majority of Chinese investments are in environmentally sensitive sectors such as energy, mining, and dam and road construction in developing countries, this may pose a reason for concern and make the case for extra efforts to improve enforcement capacity on the part of the host country.” Not only should Caribbean territories demand higher levels of local content and strengthen institutional capacity, but they must also ensure that transparency, accountability, and full appropriation of benefits are overarching goals in any bilateral relationship. The IDB posited that when these elements are missing, the distribution of benefits may be skewed or fail to be realized. New parking lot construction not part of US$150M CJIA project – handover delayed until next month A planned handover of the US$150M “expansion” project at Timehri is not going to make the year-end deadline. Rather, according to stakeholders who were taken on a recent tour, the “completion” is expected sometime in January. The news would come as questions continue to swirl about what exactly Guyana is expected to get for what is the biggest ongoing, infrastructural project by the Government. For US$150M, the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the Chinese contractor, was to have delivered a brand new two-storey terminal building, complete with skylights and a glass roof, along with provisions for eight passenger air bridges. However, a smaller terminal building is nearing construction at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Guyana is only getting four of those eight passenger bridges. Instead of the old terminal building being torn down or used for something else, it has been gutted and reno-
vated. Government has not come out and explained where the huge savings that would have been made from the project have gone to. Rather, they had been quoted as saying that the US$150M will suffice. The project is now almost two years overdue. There are other questions about what is clearly emerging as an overpriced project. For example, the airport project will not have new parking lot when it is handed over. In fact, CHEC was specific in the contract that it will only design a new car park and that the Government will have to stand the responsibility of the parking lot construction. With expected traffic increase, the new parking lot would have catered for in excess of 1,000 parking spaces. In the 2011 contract that CHEC signed with the outgoing Bharrat Jagdeo administration, the contractor was responsible for the design for a new car park, internal road area and handling equipment area whose construction will be undertaken by “employer (Government).” The contract also said that CHEC would have only been responsible to mark the position of new cargo area and fuel farm in the layout drawings. CHEC would have borne no responsibilities to make the detail design and construction both of which were to have been handled by the Government.
Jagdeo does not pay tax on rent collected from Queenstown property As former President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, says he does not have to pay taxes on any of his income. He told a press conference hosted at his Church Street Office Monday that he has not been paying taxes on the rents collected from his tenants because former presidents are not required to pay taxes. However, this contention is not supported by law. The law allows the President a tax free pension package. On Sunday, this newspaper highlighted that Jagdeo has rented out the Queenstown property that was once home to the Jagdeo Foundation and that one of those clients is involved in the oil and gas business. The Lot 300 New Garden Street, Queenstown property was acquired in December 2013 by Jagdeo, two years after he ended his constitutional two terms in office. According to the Official Gazette, dated December 7, 2013, Jagdeo acquired the double lot from Brian James, a businessman who has interests in Auto Supplies. The building was renovated and the Bharrat Jagdeo Foundation was housed there.The Consulate for Switzerland is housed in the building now. The Consul General is Dean Jackson. In recent days, it was announced that another business, Co-work Guyana, has launched a number of dedicated, private of-
fice space.Jackson, the Honorary Consul, is also Chief Operating Officer and Partner of Mayson Blackhouse. Monday, Jagdeo said that he has grown accustomed to Kaieteur News carping on his accumulated wealth. He said that he never rented the building to any oil firm. He rented to Jackson. Also, Jagdeo said that his property should not be a matter of contention since it is one that has been declared to the Integrity Commission. He said, “I have been president for several years; I earned my salary, it is all accounted for. I worked after my Presidency. They ask me how I afford these things, it is all in my Integrity Commission declaration but they would never ask APNU people this, you have several Ministers building properties.” He continued, “Ministers now building not one but four properties. The President (David Granger) did not sell his house; he gave it up but then he renovated a house on the East Bank just after one year in office and that is a massive property too. What about the duplicity there? ”But with KN, you can never win because this is the same place that said I have mansion in Miami, that I have airlines and that I own Marriott.” WEDNESDAY National Oil Spill plan to be completed by mid-2019 — EPA Head The National Oil Spill
Contingency Plan, one of the most critical documents that are supposed to be in place for any emerging petroleum producer like Guyana, will be ready by mid-next year. This is according to head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams. During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, recently, Dr. Adams noted that the EPA had a chance to review the draft plan and several comments were returned to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) for consideration. Dr. Adams described the Oil Spill Contingency Plan as “a work in progress,” while noting that it needs a lot of details. The Environmental Engineer is also of the opinion that a proper risk assessment will be needed for the plan. He said that the risk assessment will identify the areas that are most vulnerable to an oil spill and the farreaching effects of such an eventuality. The EPA Head said that the CDC may wish to hire someone to do the assessment, since it is a technical area, and the document will be a most important one for Guyana’s oil sector. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is just one of the many voices which called for there to be a national oil spill contingency plan in place before oil production commences in 2020. In its special report, the IDB noted that Guyana’s CARICOM sister, Trinidad (Continued on page 43)
Sunday December 23, 2018
PAGE 43
Kaieteur News
The old car park area is likely to remain.
From page 44 and Tobago which has been in the petroleum industry has taken the wise move to safeguard its sector with a national oil spill plan. That plan was updated and passed by TT’s Cabinet in January 2013. The IDB said that with TT’s new plan, “deep-water drilling operators will now be required to demonstrate accessibility to a containment lap system to arrest a subsea blow out event….” With this in mind, the IDB believes that Guyana can take a page from Trinidad’s book and get its own plan in place soon. It has been almost eight months since the first round of consultations was held on the draft national oil spill plan. Leading the work on the oil spill plan is the Civil Defence Commission. Specifically, Captain John R. Flores, Director of Maritime Safety had organized a small team of locals to draft the document. Talks with investment managers for oil money premature – Opposition Leader Courting investment managers for Guyana’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) at a time when there is no fund and no money is simply putting the cart before the horse. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo said this on Monday. Giving his take about government being in talks with Merrill Lynch, Jagdeo said, “It is premature at this point. A lot of people will come to Guyana and some will be carpetbaggers, looking to make a quick buck at the expense of our people and country.” Jagdeo said that the government will do well to take its time. ”We have to learn to sift them through, look at their
CVs, track record; who delivers the greatest returns on funds managed over a long historical period; who has pretty safe investments… Right now you are going to have anyone under the sun coming here to try to be the fund managers. So we will see all of these people coming in now, Merrill Lynch and everybody else.” The Opposition Leader said that it is simply a case of Merrill Lynch trying to get into position. “We do not even have money in the fund as yet, but we have people coming as fund managers.” Jagdeo even said, “They are trying to position themselves, hoping to strike some corrupt agreement that will force us to use them as our fund managers. We believe it is premature.” Jagdeo said that the government will do well to employ a different strategy. He said that the government can, when the time is right, handpick the companies it wants. The Opposition Leader said, “You can say here are 10 companies that we would like to manage our fund. Once you define the parameters through which they will manage the fund, you will then go and make a sales pitch to each of these companies.” Bring in Annandale hit-and-run driver instead of offering money to the families – Traffic Chief Traffic Chief Linden Isles wants associates of the Annandale hit-and-run suspect to turn him in, rather than trying to offer money to the families of the victims. Superintendent Isles made the appeal Tuesday, in the wake of reports that an attorney-at-law and a Chinese woman have offered $1.9M to
the relatives of the dead teen, Karamchand Khemraj, and a further $300,000 for his burial. The attorney and the woman have reportedly also offered to assist the family of 16-year-old Reaz Shaw, who remains in critical condition. “We need to get the driver. Instead of going for compensation, they need to bring the driver in,” Isles told Kaieteur News. “At the end of the day, we still need to do our investigation.” Asked if he believes that the man’s associates know of his whereabouts, Isles responded that he “definitely” believes that is the case.” “I know that my ranks are working assiduously to get this man.” The owner of the minibus which struck down the teens is said to be a Chinese national, identified as C. Wen, a Chinese national who has a store at Lot 10 Vigilance, East Coast Demerara. Mr. Wen has not been seen since the accident, which occurred two Sundays ago. Jaipaul Khemraj, the dead teen’s father, said that the attorney (name given), accompanied by another lawyer and an unidentified woman, turned up at the family’s Annandale, East Coast Demerara home on Saturday. According to the father, the woman claimed to be a relative of the driver, but then claimed that she was “representing the Chinese.” According to Mr. Khemraj, the attorney then suggested $1.6M to settle the matter and $300,000 for funeral expenses. In turn, the father said he proposed $10M in compensation, but the attorney said that the offer was too high. “He (the attorney) said that they can’t afford $10M and if the matter goes before the court we won’t get any-
thing.” The attorney reportedly pressed the family to accept the $1.6M, and allegedly told Mr. Khemraj that he should consult with his family about the funeral costs. THURSDAY Alleged ‘robbery’ of senior cop… Detective sgt. under close arrest for trying to cover up corrupt deal involving ASP A detective sergeant is reportedly under close arrest for allegedly destroying evidence which appeared to suggest that an assistant superintendent of police may have lied about the circumstances under which he was relieved of his firearm and jewellery. The ASP has alleged that two men attacked him on Monday night at La Bonne Intention (LBI). The senior rank claimed that he was relieved of his licenced 9mm pistol, gold chain and a gold band. It was claimed that the men also shot at the policeman’s vehicle, which bore several bullet holes. The rank is said to have held onto one of the robber. With assistance from persons in the area, he allegedly overpowered the robber, who still had the jewellery. Police had stated on Tuesday that both suspects were in custody and the policeman’s firearm was retrieved. Kaieteur News understands that while being questioned Wednesday, one of the suspects alleged that the senior rank was engaged in a corrupt transaction when he was attacked and his vehicle shot at. It is alleged that a detective sergeant who was grill-
ing the suspect destroyed the man’s statement, reportedly out of concern for his senior colleague. The suspect allegedly relayed this information to other ranks. According to a source, ranks from the Police Major Crimes Unit joined the investigation. The detective sergeant was subsequently placed under close arrest at the Tactical Service Unit. Contacted last night, Crime Chief Lyndon Alves said that he was unaware of the incident. State funds not to be used for holiday, end of year gift purchases … Financial Secretary warns practice is illegal The use of Government funds to purchase end of year and holiday gifts is illegal and the Government is seeking to curtail the practice. Newly appointed Financial Secretary (FS), Michael Joseph, issued a circular on Monday under the subject, ‘Expenditure of Public Funds for Holiday and End of Year Gifts’. He cautioned Ministries and other budget agencies against such purchases. “It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Finance that several Budget Agencies are proposing to present monetary vouchers and other gifts to staff for the holidays and end of year utilising public funds,” the FS stated. He reminded Heads of Budget Agencies that this is not permitted under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) as this has not been budgeted for nor approved. The FS pointed to Section 16 of the FMAA which states that there shall be no expen-
diture of public moneys except in accordance with Article 217 of the Constitution. The FS indicated that for this reason, holiday purchases have never received the approval of the Ministry of Finance, nor have they been presented for the consideration or appropriation by the National Assembly. Further, the FS noted that any related payment by any Head of Budget Agency is prohibited. Ministries would have been alerted to the Finance Ministry’s position regarding the use of state funds to purchase gifts. In the Budget 2019 Circular dated June 28, 2018, Government signaled its concern with the quantity of public expenditure, including the usage of public funds for the purchasing of gifts for staff. Paragraph 10.8 of the Budget circular stated that gifts and merchandise related to occasion-specific or ministry-specific paraphernalia and gifts must be reduced substantially. Detective Sergeant Rodwell Sarrabo is Best Cop -$18.6M in monetary awards presented at 2018 Police Awards Ceremony A family trip to Arrow Point Resort, a short stay in Aruba, $250,000 and a trophy for being adjudged the Best Cop, were awards that were bestowed on Detective Sergeant Rodwell Sarrabo Wednesday as the Force held its annual Awards Ceremony. The ceremony was held at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) drill square, Eve Leary, during which some $18.6M in monetary awards were handed out. There were also plaques (Continued on page 44)
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From page 43 and certificates presented to 2,357 ranks, civilians and groups. Detective Sarrabo, who is building a reputation as a tireless investigator, was ‘A’ Division’s runner-up Best Cop last year. He had solved a slew of high-profile cases, including the murders of 89year-old Constance Fraser, and 77-year-old Phyllis Caesar, who were slain last October in their Lot 243 Albert Street and South Road residence. Detective Sergeant 16473 Keith Conway, who was recently adjudged ‘A’ Division’s Best Cop, was awarded the second runner up trophy. He was presented with a trophy and $200,000. Conway and all Divisional Best Cops each received a plaque and $100,000. The other Divisional Best Cops were Lance Corporal Keith Clarkson (B Division); Detective Corporal 9286 Benjamin(C Division); Constable English (D Division); Detective Sergeant 19364 Williams; Constable 20730 Hyman and Constable 21614 Dhanraj. Inspector Beaton and 23849 Moore copped the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards. FRIDAY Senior cop robbed while buying two kilos of coke The Assistant Superintendent of Police who claims that bandits took his firearm and jewellery was allegedly
Kaieteur News
transacting a $6M cocaine deal when he was doublecrossed. Kaieteur News understands that investigators from the Force’s Major 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 that implicated 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 individuals involved 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 Commander
Calvin Brutus Thursday declined to comment on the reports, and referred Kaieteur News to Crime Chief Lyndon Alves.
Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan (left) in discussion with Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo and other PPP MPs regarding security
The ASP, who is reportedly still on duty, had alleged that two men held him at gunpoint and took his licensed 9mm pistol and jewellery last
Sunday December 23, 2018
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. Guyana has no need for Merrill Lynch – Dr. Mangal …Says firms like these only bring gimmickry, false hopes Former Petroleum Advisor to the Government, 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 clients 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 (Continued on page 45)
Sunday December 23, 2018
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Kaieteur News
From page 44 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 accountability), 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). 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 government on taking precautions with the company, given its history.
AFC’s Charrandass Persaud speaking with reporters after the vote.
SATURDAY Government Falls - General Elections in three months In a historic political move, Alliance For Change (AFC) member, Charrandass Persaud voted with the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on a no confidence motion, a move that forces the collapse of the coalition Government and early General Elections. Persaud’s vote gave the PPP/C a 33-32 majority at the end of a fiery debate and a tense voting process. This is the first time that a Guyana Government has agreed to debate a no confidence motion and it is also the first time the Government has lost such a vote. Under the Constitution, the Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence. Further, the Constitution states that notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members. During the vote count at the end of the debate on the Motion brought by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, all 32 PPP/C MPs voted in favour of the Motion. Persaud was the third member of the Government side to vote. When Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, first called Persaud’s name he replied, ‘yes’.
His yes was followed by shouts of ‘no’ from the Government benches. Then there was a momentary pause. The Clerk then called Persaud’s name again and he replied ‘yes’ for a second time. The Clerk then stopped the vote count. The PPP MPs then objected to this delay. During that time, Government MPs, including People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairwoman, Volda Lawrence, and AFC Leader, Raphael Trotman, were seen reaching out to Persaud. Lawrence then asked for a five-minute recess, but House Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland, denied the request, pointing out that the vote process must continue. Isaacs then restarted the vote count of the Government MPs. When Persaud’s name was called for a third time, he replied, ‘Yes, yes, yes’. At the conclusion of the sitting, Persaud told the media that the AFC members are sitting in Parliament as ‘yes men’ to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). “We have not blended
with the APNU. The other parties have. We have not. The Government is APNU/ AFC. We have not blended. Why are we doing everything they want to do, like passing Prime Minister Hamilton Green’s Pensions Bill? That man is getting favours from the PNC, not from us. “Why are we giving him taxpayers’ money? And we voted for that. We are not opposing anything; We are not saying no to anything,” Persaud told reporters on the corridors of Parliament. Persaud, an Attorney-atLaw, said that there are times when one has to vote according ‘to your conscience and not because of party affiliation’. “I am not a PPP member. I am not affiliated with the PPP. This is not because of the PPP. This is because my conscience is now clear. My life may go; you know what? I would die a happy person with a clear goddamn conscience,” Persaud noted. He also took aim at Lawrence’s controversial comments, “I am PNC; my
friends are PNC. I will give work to PNC’.” He said that he wrote to Trotman as the AFC Leader to indicate that the party needs to make a statement. “He [Trotman] defended Volda Lawrence for having said that…The Minister was overwhelmed because of the loss at the Local Government Elections. What did Volda Lawrence do, she apologised for having said something she should not have said. “Trotman looks like he was just pi**ed on by Volda Lawrence and I am taking all of that as a member of the AFCbecause we have no say. This is the one time that I have a say and I said it according to my conscience,” Persaud pointed out. Persaud also noted that the Government destroyed the lives of sugar workers in a village in which he resides. “If I die because people may not be happy with what I have done, I will die a happy person,” Persaud noted. He also claimed not to have spoken to Jagdeo about his vote. REACTIONS
Outside the Parliament, security was beefed up. Police closed the gate and formed a barricade between public buildings and APNU supporters, many of whom had camped outside Parliament for the entire debate. Along the Parliament corridors, some Government supporters were seen with tears in their eyes as they related the 23 years of struggle to remove the PPP/C administration in 2015. Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, was in discussion with the Jagdeo regarding security for MPs, especially Persaud. Jagdeo said that the PPP has been making a pitch for MPs to vote according to their conscience. “We had hoped that a number of people would, but we couldn’t say that we were expecting a particular person,” Jagdeo noted. He stated that both sides have to display maturity in this unprecedented move. “It is a feature of the Constitution. It was there since Forbes Burnham was Presi-
dent. It was used today in a democratic setting. We all have to respect our constitution,” Jagdeo stated. He stated that the party was hoping to have got at least two votes. “I myself was a bit surprised with the vote. I suspect that he (Persaud) comes from the sugar belt and living in that community he probably saw the hardships,” Jagdeo noted.The Government was locked in a meeting and later faced the media. In 2014, it was the AFC in collaboration with APNU in opposition that tabled a No Confidence Motion against the PPP/C Government led by President Donald Ramotar. Instead of allowing the Motion to be debated, Ramotar prorogued the House and called General Elections in 2015. Prior to yesterday’s debate, the Government was certain that its one-seat majority would prevail against Jagdeo’s Motion. Government MPs led by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, had said, ‘bring it on’
Kaieteur News
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BY: HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW he Three Kings came riding from far away, Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar. Three Wise Men out of the East were they, and they travelled by night and they slept by day, for their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star. The star was so beautiful, large and clear, that all the other stars of the sky became a white mist in the atmosphere. And by this they knew that the coming was near of the Prince foretold in the prophecy. Three caskets they bore on their saddle-bows, three caskets of gold with golden keys; their robes were of crimson silk with rows of bells and pomegranates and furbelows, their turbans like blossoming almond-trees. And so the Three Kings rode into the West, through the dusk of the night, over hill and dell. And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast, and sometimes talked, as they paused to rest, with the people they met at some wayside well. “Of the child that is born,” said Baltasar, “Good people, I pray you, tell us the news; for we in the East have seen his starand have ridden fast, and have ridden farto find and worship the King of the Jews.” And the people answered, “You ask in vain;we know of no King but Herod the Great!” They thought the Wise Men were men insane, as they spurred their horses across the plain, like riders in haste, who cannot wait. And when they came to
T
Jerusalem, Herod the Great, who had heard this thing, sent for the Wise Men and questioned them; and said,
Envy Defeated “Go down unto Bethlehem, and bring me tidings of this new king.” So they rode away; and the star stood still, The only one in the grey of morn; Yes, it stopped –it stood still of its own free will, right over Bethlehem on the hill, the city of David, where Christ was born. And the Three Kings rode through the gate and the guard, through the silent street, till their horses turned and neighed as they entered the great inn-yard; but the windows were closed, and the doors were barred, and only a light in the stable burned. And cradled there in the scented hay, In the air made sweet by the breath of king, the little child in the manger lay, The child, that would be king one day Of a kingdom not human, but divine. His mother Mary of Nazareth Sat watching beside his place of rest, Watching the even flow of his breath, For the joy of life and the terror of death Were mingled together in her breast. They laid their offerings at his feet: The gold was their tribute to a King, The frankincense, with its odor sweet, was for the Priest, the
FUN WITH POETRY
Santa's Watching You
Christmas time is coming, It's time we must be good, For Santa's watching every day, And we should behave as we should. Clean our room and wash the car, Help mom with every chore, For presents we are after, And a good one we must score. No time to chat, no time to play, There's dishes to be done; There will be a lot of time later
by Uncle Roy
Paraclete, and The myrrh for the body’s burying. And the mother wondered and bowed her head, and sat as still as a statue of stone; her heart was troubled yet comforted, remembering what the Angel had said of an endless reign and of David’s throne. Then the Kings rode out of the city gate, with a clatter of hoofs in proud array; but they went not back to Herod the Great, for they knew his
Sunday December 23, 2018
Junior page Mason jar Lid Christmas Tree Door Hanger
Instructions: Start by twisting a wire between two canning rings then continue 5 lids on bottom. Continue with 4, then 3, 2 and finally 1 at the top. Use twine or wire to hang the ornaments then put a dab of hot glue in the back to secure them. malice and feared his hate, Add a star ornament to the and returned to their homes top and a burlap bow to the by another way. bottom!
Supplies Needed: *15 canning lids *14 small ornament bulbs *Twine /Wire *Hot glue gun *Metal glue You can use wide mouth canning rings and attached them with strong glue. Use clothes pins to hold it together until it dried. Once it is dry tie the little store bought ornaments to the top of each ring with thin twine. The outside ornaments were held in place with a dab of hot glue because the twine kept sliding down the side. Now add a burlap bow to the
bottom middle ring with wire (or twist tie). The star ornament can be glued on using the strong glue.
Kaieteur News
Sunday December 23, 2018
Let us rejoice that all Guyanese celebrate holidays of all religions In this season of Christmas which is so meaningful to Christians, it is very heartening that people of all religions celebrate it, which has been the tradition since our forefathers came to this country from various others from around the world. This is just as true for the festivals of the other main religions which are followed by our people, mainly Hinduism and Islam, in so much that most of them have been declared national holidays. In a world where some feel that religion has been the cause of people being divided in many societies, this must make Guyana unique even at a global level. Along with the good times that we will personally enjoy and share in this season, it is important that all Guyanese recognise and keep in mind this tradition, and make it one of the reasons that we should use as a means of promoting unity and brotherliness among our people. Coming back to the celebration of
this special occasion, it is also important that we remember the reason for the season. This means that we need to take some time to think of this and make the most of it by participating in some way in the services that are held to commemorate the birth of someone
whom Christians believe came down to earth to lead us closer to the Almighty Creator. To all our readers, Uncle Roy extends the heartiest of Christmas greetings and wishes of peace and goodwill among all men during this entire holiday season.
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Giving at Christmas And for showing that we care, For honouring the Christ Child With the loving gifts we share. The wise men gave of riches; The shepherds, faith and love. Each gift, in its own measure, Was smiled on from above. Let every gift be treasured; Not always size or price Determines the extent of love And willing sacrifice. Handsome gifts with festive trim Brings smiles of sweet content, But modest gifts of humble means Are often times heaven sent. Whether it be large or small, Each gift will share in part The message of true Christmas joy, If given from the heart!
Christmas above all else is for sharing – make sure you fulfil this by doing what you can to make others happy. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
12 days of christmas
Christmas Decorating
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1. What happens to elves when they behave naughty? Santa gives them the sack. 2. What kind of music do elves listen to? Wrap. 3. What is a snowmans favorite breakfast? Ice Crispies. 4. Why didn't the skeleton go to the Christmas party? He had no-body to go with. 5. Who hides in the bakery at Christmas? A Mince Spy! 6. What says 'Oh Oh Oh'? Santa walking backwards! 7. What do you call a greedy elf? Elfish. 8. What do zombies eat with their Christmas dinner? Grave-y. 9. Who delivers presents to baby sharks at Christmas? Santa Jaws! 10. What did one snowman say to the other snowman? Can you smell carrot? 11. Whats the best Christmas Present? A broken drum - you can't beat it. 12. Which of Santa's reindeer has bad manners? Rudealph! 13.Why did Santa put a clock in his sleigh? He wanted to see time fly! 14. What does Santa suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney? Claustrophobia! 15. Why does Santa have three gardens? So he can ho, ho, ho. 16. What do you get if you combine Santa and a duck? A Christmas Quacker! 17. What do snowmen eat for lunch? Iceburgers! 18. Why are Christmas trees so bad at sewing? They always drop their needles! 19. What happened to the thief who stole a Christmas Advent Calendar? He got 25 days! 20. What is a skunks favorite Christmas song? Jingle smells! 21. What is Santa's dogs name? Santa Paws! 22. What falls at the North Pole but never gets hurt? Snow. 23. What never eats at Christmas dinner? The turkey – it's stuffed. 24. Where does Santa stay when he is on holiday? At a Hoho-ho-tel. 25. What do you call Frosty the Snowman in May? A puddle! 26. Did you know that Rudolph the Reindeer never went to school? He was elf taught. 27. What did Adam say the day before Christmas? It's Christmas, Eve! 28. What do snowmen usually wear on their heads? Ice caps! 29. Where do you find chilli beans? At the north pole! 30. What is a librarians favorite Christmas song? Silent Night 31. What do you call a frozen elf hanging from the ceiling? An elfcicle! 32. What kind of motorcycle does Santa ride? Holly Davidson. 33. Why does Santa go down the chimney on Christmas Eve? Because it 'soots' him! 34. How do you know Santa is good at karate? He has a black belt! 35. What do you call an old snowman? Water. 36. What do Santa's little helpers learn at school? The elfabet. 37. How much did Santa pay for his sleigh? Nothing - it was on the house! 38. What does Santa say at the start of a race? Ready, set, Ho! Ho! Ho!
Kaieteur News
Sunday December 23, 2018
Sunday December 23, 2018
CHRISTMAS BEAUTY TIPS 1.Party make-up Party make-up has to be right if you want to look beautiful at Christmas. The key to looking great for your Christmas party is to put on your eye shadow first. Then apply your foundation and any other make-up you want to wear. This way you know that any loose eye shadow won't fall in those places you don't want it. 2 .Simple up 'do Christmas is such a frantic time that it can be difficult to find the energy to fuss over hair styles. Yet if you want to look fantastic then one of the best beauty tips you can master is the art of simple hairdos. If you want to put your hair up, try twisting one section from the front of your hair; once twisted pin into place at the back of your head. Repeat with the other side. Then take the remainder of your hair and tie a messy bun. This look is elegant, simple and more importantly quick. 3 .Glittery lips Nothing says Christmas like glitter, and slathering some sparkly goodness on your pout will definitely bring you some Christmas cheer this year. To master the look, line your lips with a light coloured lip pencil and add foundation to the corners of your mouth. Then apply a creamy lipstick using a lip brush before using a flat brush to add on your glitter. You can finish with a gloss. To glam up your lips even more add some clear lip gloss. The one thing to bear in mind if you're considering having glittery lips for a Christmas do is that drinking, eating and kissing may be off limits; so weigh up your priorities before donning a glitter pout. 4 .Combat alcohol Although you may like sipping a tasty mojito or cosmopolitan, your skin doesn't. Alcohol dehydrates you and can leave your skin dry, grey and dull. To make sure your skin glows despite the endless flow of alcohol over the festive period your moisturiser won't be enough. Instead invest in some cleansing milks that contain hyaluronic acid. You could also apply a brightening face mask; look for ones that contain alpha-hydroxy acids, as this natural acid helps to destroy dead skin skills, firm up skin and moisturise. Alternatively, try these booze-free mocktail ideas. 5 .Tired eyes All those nights partying to Mariah Carey and Wham! is bound to leave even young eyes looking tired. To make sure you stay looking bright and alert over Christmas give yourself a little eye massage to get rid of puffy eyes. Begin at the corner of one of your eyes and work your way up, between your brow bone and your eye, rubbing as you go until you reach the outer edge of your eye. Repeat along your lower lash line. Also, be careful about where you apply your blusher as applying it too high can make you look tired.
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
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ROYAL FLUSH
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Sunday December 23, 2018
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Love, Redemption and a Newfound Voice:Why Taylor Swift Ran Away With 2018 The ceremonial announcing of the Grammy nominations usually unfolds in a certain way for Taylor Swift when she has an album in contention. But while Swifties expected maximum recognition for reputation, the singer’s scathing rebuttal to assumptions, rumors, backstabbers and various other antagonistic forces she’s come up against over the past decade, the Recording Academy didn’t comply. Instead, Swift is nominated for one 2019 Grammy, Best Pop Vocal Album. However, while that may sound like a bit of a wompwomp with which to end the year, reputation has already been parsed and celebrated every which way, as evidenced by the fans’ love for it; the thorough mining of every lyric for parts; and the heap of cash people have shelled out to buy a copy and see Swift on tour, which— city by city—merited some of the strongest reviews of her career. And since Swift already has two Album of the Year Grammys, and in fact was the first solo female artist to win that category twice, somehow we don’t think she’s busy crying into her cookie dough. (And by not being nominated for Album of the Year, she gets to avoid being the subject of all the inevitable follow-up stories about how the wrong person won that seem to get written every year. The Academy may have done her a favor.) Besides, reputation— and 2018 in general—was more about Taylor getting a few things off her chest than it was about amassing more hardware. Not that Swift didn’t amass more hardware anyway. She won four American Music Awards, including Artist of the Year, in October, becoming the most honored female artist in the show’s history with 23 wins. She also has more Billboard Music Awards—23—than any solo act, having added three to her haul in May. And rather than by some stodgy patriarchal institution that caused a #GrammysSoMale situation earlier this year, the BMAs and AMAs are decided on by fans, the ones who plunk down money to boost album, single, ticket and merch sales and those who are happy to online-vote the day away for their favorites. “You have been so nice to me—and fun, and you’re so funny and you’re so cool—
and so loyal,” Swift said at the AMAs, accepting for Artist of the Year. “It’s not lost on me.” That connection with her fans never diminished in their eyes, even when Swift was making concerted efforts to stay out of the public eye, laying off social media, not making obvious, immaculately dressed forays to and from the gym and, most notably, not releasing music—which prompted the culture vultures to circle and the prognosticators to wonder if T.Swift was kinda over in the wake of yet another breakup, a couple of public feuds and any other perceived missteps. She did only one live performance in all of 2016 and took a whole extra year to finish reputation, breaking her every-two-years album release cycle—and still her public awaited her as usual, with eager open arms. “I understand how lucky I am to have anyone that cares about me or my music...wow,” Swift also said at the AMAs. “Every time that you have made me lucky enough to stand on a stage and have something really sparkly in my hands and say ‘thank you,’ every single time this happens...it means something different to me. “This time I just want you to know it represents encouragement and motivation for me to be better, work harder and try to make you guys proud as much as I possibly can.” By now she probably doesn’t have to do much to win her fans’ approval, but she continues to go all out just the same. And speaking of those who think that every little thing she does is magic, Swift is celebrating her 29th birthday today while in a solid, serious and very private yearand-a-half-long relationship. While she has the right to approach romance any way she likes, and there are lovesex-and-butterflies-inspired songs on reputation, including “End Game” and “Delicate,” Swift has broken out of her trappings-of-fame dating rut with Joe Alwyn, whom she first met in late 2016. “I think we have been successfully very private and that has now sunk in for people… but I really prefer to talk about work,” Alwyn told British Vogue in September. And while Swift’s dating life has historically seemed inextricable from her work, suddenly it just...isn’t.
People of course still crave whatever details they can get, but the pair managed to go about their business this year both devoted to each other and relatively unencumbered by the weight of expectations, for them as individuals and as a celebrity couple. Maybe it’s mainly a sign that everyone involved is growing up (including the casual observers), but Swift’s revamped approach to dating is doing her justice. She and Alwyn aren’t avoiding each other’s big moments—or general fun nights out—but they haven’t walked a red carpet together yet or cuddled up at award shows, instead going about their business almost as if they were normal people. Alwyn was in Arizona to watch Swift kick off her Reputation Stadium Tour in May, then the couple spent the Fourth of July in Turks & Caicos—a different kind of Independence Day for Swift—instead of getting the squad back together at her house in Rhode Island, which once upon another time was a yearly event. She also quietly joined Alwyn at the New York Film Festival in September at the premiere of his latest movie, the biting period dramedy The Favourite, and she was spied showing up at the Mary Queen of Scots premiere (OK, Alwyn may be getting typecast) in London on Monday. Meanwhile, they have acknowledged each other’s existence on Instagram, but mostly their accounts have remained couple-free zones. Swift’s most recent non-Story addition is from Nov. 22—a hearty endorsement of The Favourite, in which Alwyn
and co-star Nicholas Houltare tagged in the caption (the female leads, including longtime pal Emma Stone, are not—presumably because they don’t have Instagram). Ever discreet, Alwyn reiterated to Esquire in its Winter 2019 issue, “I think there’s a very clear line as to what somebody should share, or feel like they have to share, and what they don’t want to and shouldn’t have to.” Swift acknowledged in August, to a small audience at an AT&T-hosted Taylor Swift NOW concert in Chicago, that reputation’s first single, “Look What You Made Me Do,” made many people think the album was going to be all about one thing (such as telling all your enemies where to stick it). Instead, she said, per Us Weekly, “It’s legitimately an album about finding love throughout all the noise. It starts with the noise and how that makes you feel, and how it makes you feel when people are saying things about you that you feel, like, aren’t true and living your sort of life in defiance of that. And then, sort of, in the middle of the album you kind of realize, ‘How much do I really value that?’ “If you can find something real in spite of a bad reputation, then isn’t that what matters the most to you? And doesn’t it matter the most to you that you know who your real friends are now?” Finally knowing who her real friends are should indeed be considered a major development—as was Swift’s long-awaited foray into thornier issues facing the country.
Ironically, Swift’s first public political endorsements—for Tennessee Democrats Phil Bredesen and Rep. Jim Cooper—came in the wake of Kanye West’s controversial, convoluted endorsement of President Donald Trump’s thought process, if not his policies. West was rewarded with a meeting at the White House, but Swift speaking up inspired a reported 65,000 people to register to vote, according to Vote.org. Unsurprisingly, those who welcomed Kanye’s commentary were quick to judge Taylor as being out of her element. Trump’s reaction, when asked about Swift endorsing Democrats, was pretty benign, for him. He liked her music “about 25 percent less,” the president told reporters, looking amused. If this midterm election wasn’t a time to speak out, then when? But it’s still funny that Swift’s reputation journey—which started with a pointed reference to the rapper on “Look What You Made Me Do”—came full circle with an unintentional counterpunch to another brash display from West. (At
the end of October, he tweeted that he had “been used to spread messages” he didn’t believe in and was “distancing” himself from politics.) Cooper held onto his seat, but Bredesen lost—welcome to politics, Taylor. Yet overall, those who had maligned her for not using her uniquely influential platform to speak up during the 2016 presidential election were just as quick to welcome Swift’s perspective to the table this year. Apparently those who missed her voice on the subject assumed that, if she did speak out, she’d agree with them, though some had come to the suspect conclusion that Swift stayed silent because she harbored conservative views. Ultimately, Swift spoke up for what she thought was right. The old Taylor probably didn’t need to die for this one to live, but what rose from those ashes has been impressive nonetheless. (https:// www.eonline.com/news/ 995961/love-redemption-anda-newfound-voice-whytaylor-swift-ran-away-with2018)
Oprah Winfrey’s Final Conversations With Her Mom Just Gave Us Aha Moments Oprah Winfrey is providing more teachable moments as she grieves the death of her mom. More than two weeks after news broke of Vernita Lee’s passing, her daughter is opening up about the final conversations she shared before the “sacred” passing. In a candid interview, Oprah recalls the moment she sat with her mother and realized the end may be near. “I said, ‘I don’t know if you’re going to make it. Do you think you’re going to make it?’ She said, ‘I don’t think I am.’ I had a conversation with her about what that
felt like, what it felt like to be near the end,” the talk-show host shared with People. “I started telling all the people who cared about her that, ‘She knows it’s the end, so, if you want to say goodbye, you should come and say goodbye.’”As you likely could have guessed, people didn’t hesitate to come and see Vernita. While tears were shed, Oprah realized the interactions were a special gift. “I said to her, ‘What a wonderful thing to be able to say goodbye,’ because she’s completely coherent and perfectly understanding everything,” Oprah shared.
When the future became more and more uncertain, Oprah recalls a voice that told her to play some music. Soon after, Mahalia Jackson popped up on iTunes. The businesswoman also called gospel singer Wintley Phipps who got on FaceTime and sing “Precious Lord” live. “I played another one of her favorite artists, Joshua Nelson, singing ‘How I Got Over.’ I could see that it opened her a little bit, because my mother’s been a very closed down person,” Oprah recalled. “I could see that the music gave me an opening to say what I needed to say.”
So what was Oprah able to share with her mother before she passed away on Thanksgiving? Prepare yourselves for more than a few aha moments. “What I said was, ‘Thank you. Thank you, because I know it’s been hard for you. It was hard for you as a young girl having a baby, in Mississippi. No education. No training. No skills. Seventeen, you get pregnant with this baby. Lots of people would have told you to give that baby away. Lots of people would’ve told you to abort that baby. You didn’t do that,” Oprah recalled.
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Sunday December 23, 2018
What does ovulation pain mean? A minority of people experience a sudden, sharp pain when they ovulate. Also known as mittelschmerz pain, it does not mean that something is wrong. However, it is easy to mistake other abdominal pain for ovulation pain, so anyone experiencing any pelvic pain symptoms should see a doctor. Ovulation occurs when a follicle in an ovary ruptures, releasing an egg. The egg eventually travels down the fallopian tubes to the uterus. Most researchers think mittelschmertz pain is due to the swelling or rupturing of the follicle. The pain can last anything from a few hours to a few days. A 2013 study of 55 women found that 35 percent felt pain in the middle of their cycle, with 16.6 percent of them experiencing pain on one side of the body. Doctors do not know why some people experience ovulation pain, and some do not, but there is no evidence that it is a sign of a serious problem.
Symptoms of ovulation pain Ovulation pain can cause sharp pains on one side of the pelvis. Pelvic pain is common. A 2014 review of previous research found that between 5.7 and 26.6 percent of women worldwide have chronic pelvic pain.
usually occurs on its own; if it happens alongside other symptoms, however, it probably has another cause. Signs that the pain might be due to something other than ovulation include: · pain on both sides of the
Anxiety, relationship difficulties, health concerns, and age can all affect libido. While a low libido is not usually problematic, it can affect a person’s relationships and selfesteem.In this article, we look some of the best ways that males and females can increase their libido using natural methods. Natural ways to boost libido Both males and females can boost their libido using the following methods: 1. Manage anxiety Regular exercise and open communication can h e l p p re v e n t a n x i e t y affecting libido. Having high levels of anxiety is a common barrier to sexual functioning and libido for both males and females. This may be anxiety due to life stress or specific sex-related anxiety
Pelvic relaxation syndromes
Some symptoms of ovulation pain include: · sudden pain, not pain that gets worse over several days or hours · pain that appears in the middle of a cycle · pain on only one side of the body The pain may be sharp or dull. It may feel like a stabbing sensation or cramp. Mittelschmerz is not typically severe enough to cause alarm. The pain
People with an intense work schedule, caring responsibilities, or other life stresses may feel fatigued and, as a result, have a low sexual desire. Anxiety and stress can also make it more difficult for someone to get or maintain an erection, which can put a person off having sex. A 2017 review of erectile dysfunction in young men has suggested that depression and anxiety can result in a reduced libido and increased sexual dysfunction. There are many things that people can do to manage their anxiety and boost their mental health, including: · practicing good sleep hygiene · making time for a favorite hobby · exercising regularly · eating a nutritious diet · working to improve relationships · talking to a therapist 2.Improve relationship quality Many people experience a lull in sexual desire and frequency at certain points in a relationship. This may occur after being with
Constipation Constipation can cause a range of painful or unusual sensations in the stomach or pelvis. A person who has not had a bowel movement in several days, or who has strained to have a bowel movement, may have constipation. Chronic constipation may also be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
It can be hard to tell the difference between ovulation pain and other types of pain, especially if people do not track their menstrual cycles or know when ovulation is happening.
Appendicitis
body · pain that gets steadily worse · pain that lasts several days · pain with vaginal bleeding · pain following an injury · swelling or bloating · vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea · painful urination Other causes of pelvic pain
10 ways to boost libido Libido, or sex drive, naturally varies between individuals. Having a low sex drive is not necessarily a problem, but if a person wishes to boost their libido, they can try a range of effective natural methods.
Many other conditions can cause pelvic pain, including pelvic pain around the time ovulation. Some of the most common causes include:
someone for a long time, or if a person perceives that things are not going well in their intimate relationships. Focusing on improving the relationship can increase each partner’s sex drive. This might involve: · planning date nights · doing activities together outside of the bedroom · practicing open communication · setting time aside for quality time with each other 3. Focus on foreplay Having better sexual experiences may increase a person’s desire for sex, thereby boosting their libido. In many cases, people can enhance their sexual experiences by spending more time on touching, kissing, using sex toys, and performing oral sex. Some people call these actions outercourse. For women, foreplay may be especially important. According to some 2017 research, only around 18 percent of women orgasm from intercourse alone, while 33.6 percent of women report that stimulation of the clitoris is necessary for them to orgasm.
Pelvic relaxation syndromes, which are common in those who have given birth and in older women, happen when muscles in the pelvis weaken. They cause chronic pain that may also result in back or stomach pain. Urinary disorders A urinary tract infection can affect the urethra, bladder, or kidneys. It can make urination very painful, cause blood in the urine, and also cause fevers and back pain. Pain in the lower stomach, especially if the pain occurs with urinary pain, may mean there is a urinary tract infection. Endometriosis Endometriosis is a condition that causes the tissue that lines the uterus to occur in other areas of the body. It causes chronic pelvic pain at the place where the endometrial tissue has developed. Many people with endometriosis experience intense menstrual cramps or very heavy periods. Others have pain throughout their cycle or very irregular periods. Menstrual cramps Cramping right before or during a period is not ovulation pain.Many women experience menstrual cramps. If the pain is mild and does not interfere with daily tasks, there is probably no need for concern and treatment is not usually necessary.However, intense pain or pain that has gotten steadily worse with each period requires the attention of a doctor.
Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes infected. It can be very dangerous without treatment. The pain usually starts in the middle of the stomach and may come and go. Typically, the pain travels to the lower right side of the abdomen over several hours and becomes very intense. Anyone who suspects they may have appendicitis should see a doctor immediately. Ectopic pregnancy An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue. If a doctor does not remove the fertilized egg, the fallopian tube could rupture, which may have a severe impact on fertility or even be fatal. Pain on one side of the body late in the cycle, especially if a period is late, could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. If the pain gets worse over several days or fever develops, see a doctor immediately. Ruptured ovarian cyst or ovarian torsion Most ovarian cysts go away on their own. Sometimes, however, they rupture or damage the ovary. An ovarian torsion happens when the ovary twists around the fallopian tube. It can cause dangerous bleeding and possibly cause the ovary to die.A ruptured ovarian cyst or ovarian torsion is a medical emergency. The pain is intense and unrelenting and can happen at any time during the menstrual cycle. Gastrointestinal problems Gastrointestinal problems or urinary tract
infections can cause stomach pains. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference between stomach and pelvic pain. Many stomach and intestinal problems can cause pain, including pain on one side of the body. Problems with the pancreas or liver often cause pain in the upper right stomach. Other gastrointestinal problems, such as diverticulitis, an infection, or another serious problem with the intestines, can also cause stomach pain. Many people also develop other symptoms alongside pain, such as: · diarrhea · constipation ·bloating ·changes in the color of the stool When to see a doctor See a doctor for ovulation or pelvic pain if: · the pain is intense, interferes with daily functioning, or has gotten worse over time · the pain occurs at a time other than the middle of the cycle or lasts for several days · the pain occurs alongside heavy bleeding · there are other symptoms present, such as painful urination or fever Go to the emergency room if: · the pain is unbearable · the pain occurs in a woman who is pregnant or who might be pregnant · the pain results from a blow to the stomach, sexual assault, or other potential injuries to the pelvic organs Home remedies Applying heat for short periods of time may help relieve ovulation pain. Ovulation pain is usually mild and does not require treatment. Those who find the pain too intense can try one of the following home remedies: · Taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, at the first sign of ovulation pain. Women who chart their cycles may be able to predict the day of ovulation and might consider taking an NSAID before the pain begins. · Stretching. Gentle stretches can help relieve muscle tension that may intensify the pain.
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Kaieteur News
Taxi fares double this festive season It has become more expensive to use taxis especially those not operating from a service base. While it has become a norm for hire car operators to hike fares around the Christmas season, commuters are feeling the squeeze. Travelers have accused operators of exploiting them. This is always the case leading up to Christmas. Persons hurrying to get out of the hustling and bustling around Georgetown are being greeted with some outrageous prices by transporters. There has been a hike in fares at every car park as well as taxi services around Georgetown. Specifically, this fare hike was observed with cars not operating through a taxi service. Persons using taxis for short drops complained of the fares doubling. In some instances, taxi drivers charged $700, $800 and even $1,000 for short drops, when the regular prices are usually around $400 and $500.
A taxi driver attached to the 007 Taxi Service explained that an additional $100 has been added on to fares for destinations around Georgetown due to the traffic congestion caused by shoppers flocking the city. “Driver how much to go to La Penitence Market?” One woman asked a taxi driver outside the car park at Demico House, Stabroek, Georgetown. The taxi driver responded $1,000. The woman said, “$1,000 to go right down there. Man every year is the same thing with you guys. You people over doing it.” In a serious tone, the taxi driver asked the woman if she had observed the heavy traffic around town and the time it is taking to make a dropoff. Nevertheless, there was some negotiation between them, and the fare was reduced to $900 before the woman boarded the car to her destination. Kaieteur News made contact with several Taxi
The Stabroek Market car park.
Services around the city to ascertain their positions on fares. Green Ice and City Taxi Services said that they have not approved any fare increases. However, GR Taxi Service said that it is customary for drivers to increase fares around
Convicted wife killer appeals 78-year sentence In May 2014, the now 28year-old Kevin Verwayne was sentenced to 78 years’ imprisonment for the murder of his reputed wife, Farida Ramdeen, called ‘Susie’, whom he drowned. High Court Judge Navindra Singh imposed the sentence. A 12-member mixed jury had convicted Verwayne of the crime having returned a unanimous guilty verdict. According to reports, between March 3 and March 6, 2011, Verwayne murdered the woman at Houston, East Bank Demerara. It is reported that Verwayne had taken Ramdeen, 20, in a taxi from their home at Pourderoyen, West Bank Demerara to Gafoors at Houston, East Bank Demerara under the pretext that he was taking her to visit his aunt in Albouystown. According to reports, before killing the woman, Verwayne had walked her down a muddy road and when she asked him where he was taking her, he cuffed her to her mouth and compelled her to “walk.” He took off his boots and caused her to take off her slippers. He then reportedly told her, “Baby, all those things you been putting me through, all the time a telling yuh a gon kill yuh but yuh didn’t believe me; when I go to work, you does have man in the house sexing you and I does work hard fuh give you all me money.” Verwayne then hugged Ramdeen and jumped into the
MURDERED: Farida Ramdeen
CONVICTED: Kevin Verwayne
trench with her where he choked her until she became lifeless. He then hid her body under some cane trash and returned home. At the Court of Appeal, Verwayne is arguing that not only is the sentence excessive, but without any legal basis. According to the convict, the prosecutions failed to produce certain documents, which could possibly link another suspect to the crime. Advancing more grounds, Verwayne said that the said documents were in the possession of police but went missing although numerous requests were made to have them produced. The convict is of the view that the pertinent documents would have raised substantial doubt in his case for the jurors to consider. Among other grounds, Verwayne said that failure to produce the documents or an explanation to what became of them was unfair and
prejudicial to his defence. This appeal comes up for hearing on January 24, 2019 before Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette CummingsEdwards and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory. Appearing for Verwayne is Attorney-atlaw Melvin Duke, while Senior State Counsel Stacy Goodings is representing the Prosecution. In calculating a sentence for Verwayne, Justice Singh started at a base of 60 years. The Judge had then added on 10 years for premeditation, five years for the manner in which the woman was killed, another six years for domestic violence. He also deducted three years for the time Verwayne spent in pretrial custody. After he was convicted and sentenced, Verwayne attempted to jump over the rails of the court balcony. He, was however, restrained by a police officer.
Georgetown by $100 and $200. Anyway, another passenger, a student, complained of having to pay $1,500 to travel from Stabroek Market to Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown when the fare on a usually day is $1,000. The student said, “Is only because I have these bags mek I taking a taxi. “These road cars really overdoing it. When I call my usual taxi service, the dispatcher told me that no cars were in Georgetown and
I didn’t able wait because I came to town since early this morning to do my Christmas shopping.” It was observed that persons, who were carrying plenty baggage preferred to travel in taxis so as to avoid the constant moving and stops to put off passengers when travelling in minibuses. Simone Nurse, an elated shopper explained that she would rather travel in a taxi than in a minibus because she would be dropped off in front of her home.
“You see all them bag I have. I can’t catch a bus because I will have to walk through a street when I get drop off at the road head. When I catch the car, I will get drop off right in front my home plus the taxi driver will help me carry in these bags.” But not every shopper is like Nurse. There were shoppers whose preferred mode of transportation was the minibus because it was cheaper. When asked the reason for the increased fares, a taxi driver explained, “Is the heavy traffic congestion around town during this time. It’s taking too long to make a drop off in this confusion. But some taxi man taking advantage of people. I hear some of them charging $1000 for a short drop. “I can’t do people that because when this holiday done, I still got to get customers. I don’t want no customer remember me after the holidays as the taxi man who charged them expensive.” The taxi driver related that fares will go back to normal after the holidays. “Remember persons will want to go partying and so on...So they will need a taxi to go home because bus does hardly run.”
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Kaieteur News
Santa visits Wakenaam Island FOR RENT
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Farm (East Bank) $3.5M Eccles $7M Herstelling $4M & $5M Schnoord $3M Dairy $2M & $3M Tel#656-0701/648-1635 Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109
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Despite the badly damaged roads, the residents of Zeelandia community on the island of Wakenaam had a special visit from Santa and a team of helpers. The children and seniors were treated to gifts and hampers as the tractor, which was transformed into a sleigh, drove around bearing the gifts for the communities.
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The team responsible for ushering in more joy to the festive season is known as “We got ayyo back”. It has been in existence for the past eight years conducting shows in Canada and the US. From their overseas and local investors and the funds that they receive from the shows, the group fosters development of the communities when the members return to Guyana. Wakenaam is an island of about 17.5 square miles. It is one of the largest islands in the Essequibo Islands group. It is characterized by green vegetation, and cool breeze from the Atlantic.
Drunken getaway car driver further... From page 12 residents and public spirited citizens who came out to assist and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital. He was admitted for emergency treatment and underwent more than four hours of surgery. The car was subsequently located some hours later parked at a popular nightspot in the town. Saunders was imbibing and some females were in the car. The driver had initially resisted arrest and police reinforcement had to be summoned. A breathalyzer test was conducted on him and he was found to be way over the legal limit. A search of the vehicle unearthed a bottle of rum and a cutlass among other things. Investigations are continuing and more charges are likely.
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Venezuelan incursion halts ExxonMobil operations USA oil giant, ExxonMobil, was forced to pause its 3-D seismic operations on the Stabroek Block yesterday following an incursion by the Venezuelan military. ExxonMobil’s Head of Public and Government Affairs, Deedra Moe, said that the operations were halted to ensure the safety of crew members. The official said, “The 3D seismic data acquisition of the western portion of the Stabroek Block began this month. At this time, seismic operations on the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana have been paused until they can be safely continued. “PGS was contracted to conduct the 3-D seismic data acquisition. Our main concern right now is for the safety of crew members and others in the area.” Moe added that ExxonMobil is in communication with the necessary authorities on the matter. A ship hired by ExxonMobil was approached by a Venezuelan naval vessel off the coast of Guyana, one of the most serious incidents yet in oil-rich waters that Venezuela has long claimed as its own. The Venezuelans did not board the ship and have since left the area, according to a statement issued by Norway’s Petroleum GeoServices, which was performing a seismic survey on behalf of Irving, Texasbased ExxonMobil.
Bard Stenberg, PSG’s senior vice president for communications, declined to provide further details about the incident, but said the vessel, Ramform Tethys, had not resumed operations and was now heading eastward. He said the ship was working under Guyanese authority and had all required permits. ExxonMobil in a statement said that it was working to ensure the safety of all crew members. Exxon drilled its first successful well off the coast of Guyana in 2015 and since then has made nine more discoveries, including one this month that boosted to 5 billion oil-equivalent barrels the company’s estimate of reserves in the deep-water area. The recent discoveries mean the tiny country of 750,000 people is on track to surpass Venezuela and Mexico to become Latin America’s second-biggest oil producer within the next decade, behind only Brazil, energy research firm Wood MacKenzie wrote in a report this month. But Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called the oil drilling by the U.S. company illegal, and many fear that as his socialist-run country teeters on the edge of chaos he could seek to provoke his neighbor. Venezuela has claimed the mineral-rich region west of the Essequibo river in Guyana as its own since the 19th Century, a view shared even
Govt. has itself to blame... From page 10 ensuring that education is released from the narrow confines it has reached. But with all that said, Dr. Hinds said that the WPA faces real challenges. “We are part of a coalition within a larger coalition, and given our lack of proximity to core decision making, our influence on the vision and direction of the government as a whole is muted. We also suffer from a simplistic view within the belly of the two bigger partners that since we did not ‘bring votes’ we should not be an influential player. That is a reality that we have no control over.” Despite some positive movement in recent years, the political activist said that the deep suspicion between the PNC and the WPA still exists. “There are PNC people who have never forgiven us for contributing to the demise of the previous PNC government while there are many WPA people who have not forgiven the PNC government for orchestrating the assassination of Walter Rodney.”
Dr. Hinds also stated that this thinking has influenced the leadership of the government to relate to the WPA as individuals rather than as a party. Except for the cabinet where the WPA has one voice, Dr. Hinds said that there is no other medium through which the WPA, as a party, can influence overall decision making. He said, “We have been taken for granted largely because our leadership has taken a conciliatory attitude to the government whereby in the interest of unity, we have tempered our instinct to be more critical of government’s shortcomings. We have come under a lot of pressure from members and supporters for that approach, which is seen as a departure from our core praxis.” To this end, the Executive Member of the WPA said that the party is planning a general members meeting to address this and other burning issues, including morale among some of the members who have been shut out from participation in the government.
by some of Maduro’s fiercest opponents. An international tribunal ruled in 1899 that the area formed part of Guyana, which at the time was a British colony. The swath of disputed land makes up 40 percent of Guyana. Earlier this year, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres sent the case to the International Court of Justice following a failed UN-sponsored attempt to broker a settlement. Venezuela’s navy actually seized a U.S.chartered oil research ship working in the area in 2013 and held it for more than a week before releasing the vessel and its 36 crewmembers from the U.S., Russia, Indonesia and Ukraine.The Venezuelan incursion comes just one day
after the APNU+AFC Government was defeated in the National Assembly with the passage of the
Opposition’s No-Confidence Motion. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was able to garner
the support it needed for its Motion from Alliance For Change (AFC) Member, Charrandass Persaud.
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Sunday December 23, 2018
Why I voted the way I did – Charrandass From page 08 any say; they were reduced to rubber stamps. He said this was so on many other occasions. According to the MP, just before the vote, he wrote to his son. “I didn’t tell him anything in detail, I just said ‘be happy and be a good father.” The MP was yesterday expelled by the AFC, his party. He is now planning to spend time with his grand-kids. “I am not concerned right now who thinks I am a traitor as they’ve called me. They’ve threatened me that “you’re a traitor”, “you’re a sellout”, “you should die”. I heard that. I will die. It’s not my ambition to live forever. I don’t know if anyone of you or anyone of them has the dream to live f o r e v e r. I t ’s n o t m i n e . When it comes, I will go. I believe in karma…” Questioned about whether he gave an assurance during a pre-debate briefing with senior APNU and AFC officials that he will not give a conscience vote, Persaud insisted that he said n o t h i n g . In fact, the MP said that he made the decision the night before.“I did not even sleep well last night because I knew it was going to be a tough thing…I don’t know what is
going to happen outside there, whatever happens, happens.” He was referring to the crowd outside the Parliament who had seen and heard everything that went on inside.Asked whether he was concerned about being expelled, the lawyer said he is prepared to resign and save the party the trouble. “You know that I will not be coming back to Parliament as a member of the AFC.” He said that the resignation will be mailed to the Speaker of the House before the holiday is over. “I am not keen on being a parliamentarian; I am a lawyer and those who know me will know that I am a successful lawyer. I don’t sell my soul. I sold my conscience for three and a half years to the detriment of my own job that has now come to an end.” He said that he did not do it to reduce the power of the Government but to clear my conscience. The MP also disclosed that his friend, the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, offered him security. With regards to his political career, MP Persaud was convinced that it is over. Get-rich PPP “No, this is the end of my
political career, if it was a career, I did not plan on getting into politics but I did it because at that time, I couldn’t stand what I saw the PPP were doing. “A lot of them were getting rich, real rich and we’re not doing things differently.” The lawyer is not thinking of joining the PPP. “I’m ruling out joining any political party or being a c a n d i d a t e … ” He denied that he was paid to vote.He said that a letter was given to his secretary to be released if he did not make it out of Parliament Buildings. “So what I’m saying here is what I believe in my heart. And for all intent and purposes, I don’t know that these people would have changed; that they would have done anything to benefit the people, having put so many sugar workers out of their livelihood and having declared that only PNC people will get work…” Asked whether his statements were a contradiction to his support to the recently passed 2019 budget, MP Persaud made it clear that he did so according to his party line. Charrandass Persaud was probably the most Googled name in Guyana yesterday.
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Five-star Manchester Utd rediscover their swagger but City are stunned LONDON (Reuters) Manchester City stumbled to the most sensational defeat of the Premier League season yesterday before neighbours Manchester United began their brave new world under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a glorious reminder of long-forgotten attacking swagger. After City’s sensational 32 reverse against Crystal Palace at their Etihad fortress, United seemed liberated and re-energised after Jose Mourinho’s midweek sacking as they romped to a 5-1 win at Cardiff City — the first time they have hit five in the league since their golden Alex Ferguson era. A remarkable 30-metre
thunderbolt from Andros Townsend adorned Palace’s remarkable comeback from a goal down in the rain as Pep Guardiola’s champions City saw their 100 percent league home record this season shattered. So, what recently looked like an imperious title defence now looks problematic as City lie four points behind leaders Liverpool, who had thrown down the gauntlet with a 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday. There was more good news for the Reds as fourthplaced Chelsea also squandered their unbeaten home record with a 1-0 defeat by
Leicester City. Arsenal kept up their pursuit in fifth, thanks to a double from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a 3-1 home win over Burnley that put the Gabonese striker top of the league’s goalscoring charts. After 18 matches, Liverpool are now the only unbeaten side left in England’s top four divisions on 48 points, with City on 44 and Tottenham Hotspur, who visit Everton on Sunday, third on 39. Chelsea and Arsenal both have 37, while United are on 29. On a remarkable, rain-sodden afternoon at the Etihad, Manchester City, who had lost their season’s unbeaten
Sunday December 23, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) The world probably isn't going to revolve around you today, Aries, so get used to it. Even though this may not be the news you want to hear, it's probably the news you most need to hear.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) More than likely you will be caught up in a wildly intense emotional drama if you aren't careful, Libra. Try to stay calm and collected. Find a quiet, solitary place where you can relax.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Initiate a deep, meaningful conversation with someone you've lost touch with, Taurus. It could be that a long and ugly point of contention is on the brink of resolution.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will find strength in your inner reserves today, Scorpio. Don't hesitate to let your deepest thoughts shine through. Keep your antenna up.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your transmission may be stuck in reverse today. This doesn't mean you can't be productive. You may need to change your approach. Carefully assess a situation before you proceed.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You will find strength in your inner reserves today, Scorpio. Don't hesitate to let your deepest thoughts shine through. Keep your antenna up.
CANCER(June21–July22) Things should go well for you today, Cancer. There's an added serenity in the air that will help calm your nerves. There's no need to make things more complicated than necessary. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) It might seem like someone has dumped a bucket of water on your head today. It seems like your fire is out. Keep in mind that this is only temporary and that your internal flame will be rekindled soon. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Tension may run high today as things come to a great emotional climax. It might seem as if everyone is out to get you, Virgo, but more than likely this paranoia is a figment of your imagination.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Your sensitivity is strong today, Capricorn. You will find that your perception of situations is right on target with the truth of the matter. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may feel a bit confused today. It might seem as if the wind has suddenly been taken out of your sails. Don't get discouraged by the slow weightiness of the day. Take the opportunity to relax and recharge your batteries. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today is an excellent day for you, Pisces. You will be a welcome addition to any crowd. Your delightful nature is at its most active. You have the unique capability to be aggressive about getting what you want without disturbing the flow of the energy around you.
record at Chelsea two weeks ago, seemed predictably dominant when striding into a first-half lead through Ilkay Gundogan. But Palace responded quickly with a Jeffrey Schlupp strike and three minutes later a wondrous volley from 30 metres from the mercurial England international Townsend, which will be a contender for goal of the season. Luka Milivojevic put the visitors further clear with a penalty after the break before Palace survived a late onslaught that saw Kevin De Bruyne score five minutes from time. “It’s complicated but we fight until the last second. We are in December and we will try and recover and try and win games again,” shrugged Guardiola, conceding that his side needed to “recover mentally and recover physicality”. UNITED REBORN In stark contrast, after a traumatic week which saw the end of Mourinho’s two-anda-half-year reign, Manchester United seemed mentally and physically re-born, playing
with verve, pace and attacking intent that reflected the smile of their still fresh-faced caretaker boss and old club hero, Solskjaer. He was beaming after three minutes when Marcus Rashford’s free kick put United ahead and further goals before halftime from Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial — after a dazzling passing interchange — and a second-half double from Jesse Lingard made it a perfect start for the Norwegian. United, with Paul Pogba back in the fold, poured forward in a free-spirited manner rarely seen under Mourinho and Lingard’s last-minute goal ensured they netted five in a league match for the first time since Ferguson’s final match in charge in 2013. Chelsea’s loss at Stamford Bridge seemed almost as unlikely as Manchester City’s with Leicester facing the prospect of a third straight defeat but Jamie Vardy’s first-time finish soon after the break brought much-needed relief for the Foxes’ manager Claude Puel. At the Emirates Stadium,
the predatory Aubameyang took his season-leading tally of league goals to 12 with his double in the win over Burnley, one more than Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Fulham earned a goalless draw at Newcastle United but remained bottom of the table on 10 points alongside Huddersfield Town, who were beaten 3-1 by a Southampton side that look rejuvenated under new Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuettl. Watford moved into seventh place with a 2-0 win at West Ham United, thanks to goals from Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu.
Marginal decisions... From page 74 fourth over, so a point needed to be made.” Controversy erupted in the fourth over when fast bowler Oshane Thomas was wrongly no-balled after removing top-scorer Liton Das for 28, with subsequent replays showing the bowler had in fact not over-stepped. The incident led to a break in play as Brathwaite protested the decision, first with the on-field umpires and then with the fourth umpire and match referee Crowe. The decision was allowed to stand and after re-grouping, an inspired West Indies bundled out Bangladesh for 140 to win by 50 runs and take the three-match series 2-1. “Everyone saw that it was not a no-ball. For a young man who is inexperienced, Oshane Thomas was under the pump,” Brathwaite explained. “To finally get a dismissal but the ball has gone to your name as free-hit, to bowl the extra ball with an extra run, obviously it messed his mindset. As captain I had to take fall for the team. I had to make a stance not just for myself or the team but for West Indies cricket.” But Brathwaite also commended Crowe for his understanding, especially in what was a volatile situation. “After we had some stern words, it was resolved. We worked too hard for my team to walk off the field or forfeit the game or series. The decision was to stay on, fight on and finish the game,” the allrounder said. ”But I also asked the match referee for five minutes that our team can get their head around playing a cricket game, forget the debacle that has just happened, get past the event and let us just finish the remaining 16 overs. Thankfully it was allowed.”
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NBA roundup: Ailing LeBron nets triple-double LeBron James, sick enough earlier in the day that his ability to take the court Friday night was in doubt, nonetheless finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists as the host Los Angeles Lakers turned back the New Orleans Pelicans 112-104 on Friday night. It was James’ third tripledouble as a member of the Lakers and his second in four games. It was also the 76th of his career. Kyle Kuzma added 23 points for the Lakers, who ended a two-game losing streak. Anthony Davis produced 30 points and 20 rebounds for the Pelicans, who lost their third consecutive game and are 0-2 to start their four-game road trip. Los Angeles’ Rajon Rondo scored eight points and dished out nine assists in his first game since Nov. 14. He missed 17 contests because of a broken bone in his hand that required surgery. Bucks 120, Celtics 107 While Giannis Antetokounmpo got off to a slow start, his Milwaukee teammates used their size and 3-point shooting to build a 26point first-half advantage, and the visiting Bucks went on to win at Boston. Antetokounmpo attempted only four shots from the field in scoring 11 points before the break. He finished with 30 points on 8-for-13 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots. Khris Middleton added 21 points and Eric Bledsoe had 16 for the Bucks. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 21 points off the bench. Jayson Tatum finished
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) and forward Julius Randle (30) during the second half at Staples Center. (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports) with 20 points despite missing 10 of 15 shots from the field. Raptors 126, Cavaliers 110 Kawhi Leonard matched his season best with 37 points on 12-for-16 shooting, and Toronto defeated visiting Cleveland. OG Anunoby equaled his career bests with 21 points and eight rebounds for the Raptors. Pascal Siakam added 15 points and 10 rebounds, Fred VanVleet added 14 points and eight assists, and Norman Powell scored 11 points. Jordan Clarkson had 20 points for Cleveland. Collin Sexton added 17 points. Larry Nance Jr. had 16
points and 12 rebounds, and Cedi Osman chipped in with 12 points for the Cavaliers. Pacers 114, Nets 106 Victor Oladipo recorded 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists to help Indiana beat Brooklyn in New York. Thaddeus Yo u n g scored 21 points while Domantas Sabonis and Bojan Bogdanovic added 17 apiece for the Pacers, who ended a two-game slide. Myles Turner contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds. Rodions Kurucs scored 24 points and DeMarre Carroll added 16 for Brooklyn, which had a season-best seven-game winning streak snapped. Spencer Dinwiddie
scored 15 points, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Joe Harris had 13 apiece. Spurs 124, Timberwolves 98 Bryn Forbes poured in 22 points, 15 of them in the first half, and six of his teammates scored in double figures as San Antonio cruised past visiting Minnesota. San Antonio rolled to its third win in a row. Minnesota took its second straight loss and its sixth in seven games. Marco Belinelli added 17 points for the Spurs, with Davis Bertans tallying 15, Rudy Gay hitting for 14, and DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl scoring 12 each. The Spurs outshot Minnesota 52.9 percent to 39.8 percent
and outrebounded the Timberwolves 50-39. Jazz 120, Trail Blazers 90 Ricky Rubio scored 24 points and dished out eight assists as visiting Utah blew away Portland. Kyle Korver and Jae Crowder came off the bench for 18 and 16 points, respectively, and Rudy Gobert contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Jazz, who had lost four in a row on the road. Damian Lillard scored 19 points to lead the Trail Blazers, who saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. It was Portland’s secondbiggest margin of defeat this season, next to a 143-100 drubbing at Milwaukee on Nov. 21. Kings 102, Grizzlies 99 De’Aaron Fox capped a huge comeback by sinking the tying and go-ahead free throws with 1:17 remaining, and host Sacramento took advantage of a late scoring drought by Memphis to score a victory. Willie Cauley-Stein and Buddy Hield each added two free throws to ice the victory for the Kings, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Hield led all scorers with 28 points for the Kings, who trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half and began the fourth quarter down 74-65. Mike Conley made seven 3pointers while scoring 23 points for the Grizzlies, who lost their fifth straight. Bulls 90, Magic 80 Lauri Markkanen scored a season-high 32 points, one shy of his career best, and made the jump shot that put Orlando away for good in Chicago’s home win. Robin Lopez scored 14 points and Kris Dunn added 12 points, eight rebounds and
seven assists for the Bulls, who won for just the third time in the past 15 games. Evan Fournier sank five 3pointers and scored 24 points, and Nikola Vucevic had 19 points and 19 rebounds for the Magic. Aaron Gordon added 14 points and 12 rebounds, but Orlando shot just 32.6 percent from the floor. Hornets 98, Pistons 86 Marvin Williams scored 24 points, with a career-high seven 3-pointers, and host Charlotte continued its mastery over Detroit. Williams hit four of his triples in the third quarter, when the Hornets pulled out to a 14-point lead and took control of the game for good. It was Charlotte’s third win over the Pistons in three games this season, and it was the second in the past 10 days. Blake Griffin led the Pistons with 23 points. Andre Drummond finished with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Hawks 114, Knicks 107 Kent Bazemore scored 22 points and sparked his team’s strong second-half defense to lead visiting Atlanta over New York. Bazemore also pulled down six rebounds to help Atlanta win its second straight game and break a five-game road losing streak. Bazemore hit a pair of free throws with 48.7 seconds remaining to give Atlanta a seven-point lead and ice the game. New York was led by Emmanuel Mudiay with 32 points, the third time he’s reached the 30-point mark this season — all in the last five games. Kevin Knox added 24 points and six rebounds. (Field Level Media)
Barca ease past Celta to end year top of La Liga BARCELONA (Reuters) - La Liga champions Barcelona ensured they will end the year sitting top of the table by strolling to a comfortable 2-0 win over Celta Vigo yesterday, inspired by another superb display from Lionel Messi. Messi played a pivotal role in Ousmane Dembele opening the scoring against the Galicians in the 10th minute, firing a shot at goal which Celta’s Ruben Blanco could only parry at the feet of the French forward, who
squeezed the rebound through the goalkeeper’s legs. The Argentine then scored a sixth goal in three La Liga games to stretch his side’s advantage on the stroke of halftime, latching onto a pass from Jordi Alba and producing an irresistible finish beyond Blanco just as he entered the area. Celta had conceded 18 goals in their previous four visits to the Nou Camp and although they fared better in defence this time, they struggled to cause Barca
many problems, particularly after Spain international and top scorer Iago Aspas went off injured early in the second half.Barca lead the standings on 37 points, three ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid and six clear of Sevilla who play against Leganes on Sunday.Real Madrid, who were crowned Club World Cup champions yesterday by beating Al Ain 4-1, are eight points back from Barca in fourth place but with a game in hand.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in action with Celta Vigo’s Ruben Blanco. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)
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Lewis, Paul deliver Windies rare series win
Keemo Paul is lifted by his team-mate as West Indies celebrate a wicket, Bangladesh v West Indies, 3rd T20I, Mirpur, December 22, 2018 ©AFP DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – Evin Lewis and Keemo Paul provided a glimpse of the future for West Indies as the Caribbean side won only their second series in any format this year with a dominant 50-run victory over Bangladesh, in a controversial decisive third Twenty20 International here yesterday. The left-handed Lewis, short of form in recent times, broke out of his rut with a sparkling 89 off just 36 balls as West Indies rattled up 190 all out with four balls remaining in the innings. Tasked with completing their second highest successful run chase, Bangladesh were taken apart by 20-yearold seamer Keemo Paul, who produced stunning careerbest figures of five for 15 to blow the hosts away for 140 off exactly 17 overs. Liton Das slammed 43 at the top of the order to get Bangladesh up to 65 for one in the fifth over but a contentious no-ball incident in the fourth over seemingly sparked the Windies to life, and Paul led the revival by wrecking the middle and lower order to send the last nine wickets tumbling for 75 runs. West Indies’ only series win this year in any format came against Bangladesh in the Caribbean when they swept the Test series 2-0. The success also took some of the sombreness off an otherwise wretched tour which saw the Windies whitewashed 2-0 in the Test series and hammered 2-1 in the one-
dayers. Asked to bat first, West Indies showed their intent in the first power-play, galloping to 88 for one, with Lewis providing most of the momentum. He clobbered six fours and eight sixes, dominating a 76-run opening stand off just 30 balls with Shai Hope whose 23 came from 12 balls and included three fours and a six. In the third over of the innings which gushed 27 runs, Lewis blasted left-arm seamer Abu Hider for four sixes, en route to reaching his fourth T20I half-century off 18 balls in the fifth over. He lost Hope in the same over, bowled missing a heave at left-arm spinner Shakib-al-Hasan (3-37) but fashioned a 32-run, third wicket stand with Rovman Powell (19), after the promoted Paul fell for two in the seventh over to seamer Mustafizur Rahman (3-33). Lewis appeared set for a third T20 hundred when he too missed a slog, this time at off-spinner Mahmudullah (318) and had his stumps rattled at 122 for three in the 10th over. Bangladesh wrested back control thereafter even though Nicholas Pooran struck a pair of fours and sixes in 29 off 24 balls, to get the Windies up to a challenging total. Bangladesh kept up the momentum at the start of their innings with Das and Tamim Iqbal taking 22 from the 10 balls but Tamim
West Indies opener Evin Lewis goes on the attack during his Man-of-the-Match 89 in Saturday’s third T20 International found himself short on a second run at the striker’s end and was run out for eight, courtesy of Powell’s throw from the deep. Das then asserted control for the hosts, blasting three fours and sixes in a 25-ball knock as he put on 43 for the second wicket with Soumya Sarkar (9). Controversy erupted in the fourth over, however, when Das holed out to midoff off fast bowler Osane Thomas for 28, only for Umpire Tanvir Ahmed to signal no-ball. Subsequent replays showed Thomas had not erred, leading to animated discussions on the field be-
tween captain Carlos Brathwaite and umpires, and then with fourth umpire Sharfuddowla Ibne Saikat and ICC match referee Jeff Crowe. D e s p i t e t h e Wi n d i e s protests, the umpire’s decision stood and Das remained at the crease, and off the resulting free hit, Das smashed Thomas over cover for the third six of the over which went for 30 runs. Obviously upset by the decision especially after an earlier umpiring mistake on a no-ball call also resulted in a six, the Windies rallied brilliantly to haul themselves back into the contest.
Left-arm spinner Fabian Allen knocked over Sarkar and captain Shakib (0) in successive balls in the fifth over to catches in the deep by Sheldon Cottrell and the i n t h e f o l l o w i n g o v e r, Mushfiqur Rahim (1) pushed Paul to cover where Allen held the catch, as Bangladesh lost three wickets for one run off eight balls. Mahmudullah struck two
fours in 11 before picking out Brathwaite at mid off in the eighth over from Paul. In his next over, the 10th of the innings, Paul prised out Das and Araiful Haque (0) in successive deliveries, to leave the innings in ruins at 89 for seven. Paul got his fifth wicket when Mohammad Saifuddin (5) feathered a catch behind to Hope, putting the run chase well beyond rescue.
Leonora to host today’s... From page 72 attraction at 19:00hrs bringing together Den Amstel and City side, Santos. Last evening at the Golden Grove Ground, Friday night’s double header was not contested due to the fact that the Lights provider was not able to deliver all four lights on time. Three sets of construction lights were at the venue but the fourth one did not arrive until 20:40hrs. The first match was scheduled to kick off at 18:30 hours between Ann’s Grove United and Soesdyke Falcons with the main event between Victoria Kings and Buxton Stars. These matches were scheduled to be played last night at the same venue with additional lights.
PAGE 72
Kaieteur News
Sunday December 23, 2018
Real Madrid ease to record fourth Club World Cup title
Luka Modric has won 15 trophies with Real Madrid, but this was his first goal in a final for the Spanish side. (Reuters) BBC Sport - Spain’s Real Madrid won the Club World Cup for a third consecutive year, and record fourth in total, by beating Abu Dhabi side Al Ain in the final. Luka Modric curled home the opening goal from the edge of the area
after Karim Benzema’s layoff. Marcos Llorente hit a stunning 25-yard half-volley - his first professional goal - and Sergio Ramos headed in the third from Modric’s corner. Tsukasa Shiotani nodded in for Al Ain before
Real Madrid have won four of the past five Club World Cups. (Reuters) Yahya Nader’s own goal. Real could have won by more. Lucas Vazquez hit the post early on and Gareth Bale - who scored a semi-final hat-trick against Kashima Antlers - went close with a spectacular bicycle kick which went just over the bar.
Al Ain had shocked River Plate on penalties in the semi-final but never looked like following that up with a famous win at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Midfielder Toni Kroos has won five of the past six Club World Cups - in 2013
with Bayern Munich and 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 with the Spanish side. Real now hold the record for most victories in the competition, which was first held in 2000, moving one clear of Spanish rivals Barcelona. E a r l i e r, Copa
Libertadores winners River Plate won the third-place play-off by beating Asian champions Kashima Antlers 4-0. Gonzalo Martinez scored twice on what is expected to be his final appearance before joining MLS champions Atlanta United.
Atkinson Brothers Football
Wins for Rising Son (U15), Mora & Jungle Boys (U17), Sea Hawks & Rincon United (Snr.) When play in the Atkinson Brothers 8th Annual Floodlight Football Competition continued at the Kumaka Recreation Ground, Moruca on Friday night last, there were wins for Rising Sun, Mora, Jungle Boys, Sea Hawks and Rincon United. Competing in the lone Under-15 match of the night, Raising Son got past Mighty Warriors 3-1 on account of goals from Daniel Atkinson in the 2nd minute, Travis Narine in the 5th and Orlando Narine in the 23rd minute. Mighty Warriors got their consolation goal from Dean Domingo. Mora prevailed over Mighty Warriors 3-2 in a penalty shootout, while the other
Under-17 match was decided via a similar route, this time, Jungle Boys won 2-1 over Future Stars following a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time. Dario Jones had given Jungle Boys the lead in the 5th minute but that was cancelled out when Keton La Rose volleyed past Jungle Boys’ custodian three minutes later.In senior play, Saw Hawks United defeated Kamwatta 2-0 thanks to goals from Terence Chappelle in the 6th and Hyde Williams, three minutes later. And Rincon United needled Legal FC through a Ronald Henry 8th minute goal. The lone female match that was scheduled was cancelled.
GFF/Stag Super 16
Leonora to host today’s double header The final two matches in the round-of-16 of this year’s Guyana Football Federation / Stag Super 16 championship will be contested at the Leonora Track and Field Facility from 17:00hrs. Upper Demerara’s Milerock will tangle with West Demerara’s Eagles FC of Stewartville with the feature (Continued on page 71)
Kaieteur News
Sunday December 23, 2018
PAGE 73
Timehri Panthers are 3rd EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League is MVP; Omar Sam champions - Keron Williams ends with 23 goals
Swan’s Anderson Webber receives the Team Sportsmanship Award from EBFA Executive Member Orien Angoy in the presence of Club President, Adrian Gonsalves.
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imehri Panthers have continued their dominance o f Eas t B an k football when they captured the 3rd Annual East Bank Football Association / Ralph Green Under-11 League yesterday with a 2-0 win over Friendship All Stars. The Young Panthers won the championship by a single point ahead of Grove Hi Tech which ended with 29 points. Taking the 3rd place in a thrilling final match to this year’s league was Agricola Red Triangle who outhustled Swan FC 4-3 coming back from two goals down. Diamond Upsetters ended in 5th followed by Samatta Point/Kaneville, Diamond United, Mocha Champs, Friendship All Stars, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Herstelling Raiders and Hauraruni Eagles rounding out the twelve teams which participated. In the final three matches y e s t e r d a y, S a m a t t a Point/Kaneville and Diamond United battled to a 1-1 draw. Diamond United had taken the lead on five minutes through a Ricky Ramotar goal but that advantage was cancelled on # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Team Timehri Panthers Grove Hi Tech Agricola Red Triangle Swan FC Diamond Upsetters Samatta Point KV Diamond United Mocha Champs Friendship All Stars Kuru Kururu Warriors Herstelling Raiders Hararuni Eagles
in the 25th minute when Troy George scored for Samatta Point. Timehri Panthers then took to the field conscious that they needed to win to take the top spot and that they did via a 2-0 margin over Friendship All Stars. Their Captain and the league’s leading goal scorer, Omar Sam netted the first goal in the 7th minute with Keeron Williams rounding out the win whilst sealing the league with his 25th minute goal. The final match of the day and league was a thriller with Swan, in their first tournament at this level after joining the EBFA, taking on Agricola Red Triangle who had won the first two editions of this league. Behind Agricola on goal difference, Swan sailed to a 2-0 advantage with just two minutes on the clock, their leading marksman and league’s Most Promising Player, Anderson Webber heading both goals in, in the 1st and 2nd minutes. But Agricola, who had squandered a two goal advantage against Timehri Panthers when they met a few days ago, showed admirable determination and P 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 10 11 10 11 11
W 10 9 9 8 6 4 3 3 2 2 2 1
Grove Hi Tech - 2nd Place display their silverware. Best Goalkeeper Zewdi Francois (stooping) and Most Disciplined Player Jamal Cordis (2nd right) savour the moment with Coach Levi Braithwaite.
Differently Able Goalkeeper of Swan, Kedon Nazir receives his trophy from Coach Levi Braithwaite.
fired back with a beautiful shot off the boot of Trevor Gordon to reduce the deficit in the 5th minute. But in the 12th minute, Webber completed his hattrick and 20th of the league
Final Points Standings L D GF 1 0 49 0 2 33 1 1 40 2 1 36 4 1 16 5 2 9 5 3 14 6 0 16 7 2 11 8 0 5 9 0 8 10 0 4
GA 11 6 9 12 14 32 20 15 26 25 40 31
GD +38 +27 +31 +24 +2 -23 -6 +1 -15 -20 -32 -27
to increase the lead for Swan. However, Captain, the experienced Jonathan Andries, tapped in Agricola’s second goal to reduce the deficit in the 13th Points 30 29 28 25 19 14 12 9 8 6 6 3
minute and his teammate, Mikel Morris netted the first of his double in the 14th minute to even things up for Agricola just before the half time whistle was sounded; a pulsating first half – 3-3. The second half was fiercely contested with both teams having their moments and coming close to scoring but it was the Agricola boys who were to taste victory and with just one minute to go, Morris achieving his second and the winner in the 29th minute. After all the on field action was ended, it was time for the presentation. The dedicated trio of Referees
who laboured day in day out were recognized for their efforts by the EBFA; Colin David, Dawn Joseph and Orien Angoy, each receiving a medal and whistle. Association Secretary Wayne Francois was also recognised for his efforts towards making the playing venue ready for matches and was presented with a branded ball and medal. Swan’s goalkeeper, Kedon NAzir, a differently Able player received a special prize compliments of Grove H i Te c h C o a c h L e v i Braithwaite for his outstanding performances during the league, he stood between the uprights in every match his team played. Swan also walked away w i t h t h e Te a m Sportsmanship Award for being adjudged the Most Disciplined Team of the League, while Colin David of champions, Timehri Panthers was named Best Coach and received a plaque. The individual awards went to Anderson Webber (Swan) Most Promising Player; Jamal Cordis (Grove Hi Tech) Most Disciplined Player; Zewdi Francois (Grove Hi Tech), Best Goalkeeper; Omar Sam (Timehri Panthers), Top Goal Scorer – 23; Keron Williams (Timehri Panthers) Most Valuable Player. Each of these players were rewarded with a Plaque and Backpack. Timehri Panthers and Grove Hi Tech for placing first and second saw each player receiving a replica trophy, while the players from the 3rd and 4th placed, Agricola and Swan each received medals.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 74
Sunday December 23, 2018
New GCC president outlines plans for GCC’s revival eorgetown, — Businessman Timothy Tucker has just become president of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and he has a mountain to climb. The members of the GCC, the oldes t cricket club in the Caribbean, are the custodians of Guyana’s iconic Bourda cricket ground. The facilities have slipped into disrepair in recent times, and the new club president finds himself at the helm of a team with a monumental task —finding creative ways to restore some of its lost splendor. Established in 1858, the GCC was once the most prestigious club in Guyana. Membership was much sought after and cherished, mostly because of the approximately 133year-old Bourda ground, which has been pounded by the bats and boots of many of the world’s greatest cricketers, including Sir Garfield Sobers, Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, Brian Lara, Shiv Chanderpaul, Sachin Tendulkar and Imran Khan. For well over a century up to 2006, the world famous Bourda ground was a mecca for cricketers and cricket fans worldwide. In its heyday, many fans rejoiced exuberantly or cried bitterly as they celebrated or lamented the victories and losses of their favourite teams. Win, lose or draw, the players and fans loved Bourda, and so it was for countless years. Then came the crash. It happened in 2006 when the ground was crossed off the list of Test Cricket venues. The last international cricket match was played at the ground that year, and the loss of high-level cricket led to a meltdown, and a mass exodus of members. Bourda went into freefall.
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But with Tucker’s ascension to the GCC presidency this month, there is fresh hope of a change in fortune. The GCC is a familiar place to him; he frequented Bourda as a child with his father and brothers. “I probably played in my diapers at the GCC... so I am one of the people who went through the ranks at GCC…my bigger brother played for GCC in a number of divisions…” he said. “I hold GCC close to my heart because of all the camaraderie I saw growing up with my father and all the old members. And most of my friends are members too. So we all hold GCC close to our hearts…” He added, “It’s clearly an honour to be elected and placed with the responsibility of being the president of GCC…I have an excellent team comprising members who have been members for many years.” However, he knows that resuscitating the GCC is an uphill battle that requires a comprehensive approach with emphasis on raising revenues. “We have to face the reality that it is highly unlikely that international cricket will come back to Bourda, the ground is too small…” the new President said, adding that attracting the highest level of the game back to the ground would require tremendous infrastructure work. Nevertheless, the GCC has been facilitating several sporting activities at Bourda and Tucker plans to continue some of the work of the previous executive body, and to implement some bold new initiatives. Uppermost on his to-do list is to find innovative ways to increase revenues. This includes expanding
Timothy Tucker the membership base. Tucker pointed out that the GCC membership has plummeted from around 1,200 members in 2006 to just about 150 paying members today. There are about 50 lifetime members. “That, by itself, has taken a toll on the club,” he said. The club’s income was further reduced because Bourda is no longer being used for international cricket and there is an active injunction to prevent nighttime events from being held there. As such, its stands have fallen into disrepair and some were pulled down. The membership drive will encompass trying to re-engage the former 1,200 members and putting measures in place to bring them back onboard. He added that the membership drive will include reaching out to the schools in order to get children interested in the GCC, and in sporting activities in general. “The reason why most of the clubs through the country have
Young Warriors CC salutes Shimron Hetmyer The Cumberland, East Canje based Young Warriors Cricket Club has extended congratulations to their fast rising batting star, Shimron Hetmyer on his selection for Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2019. The IPL is the largest and most lucrative T20 tournament globally and Hetmyer has pocketed US$588,000. He is the first Berbician that will play IPL. A release from the club stated that Hetmyer was destined for greatness since he first went to the club at the tender age of six. He was a class above his peers and the club has nurtured his talent and made him be one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket today. The release further stated that Shimron who comes for a simple family and grew up in a Sugar Cane based area, was an aggressive batsman from the onset. He has excelled at all levels and was handed the senior team captaincy early in his career which surely helped him to captain the West Indies Under-19 to their first win ever in Youth World Cup. The club wishes Shimron huge success but cautions him to be humble, keep his feet grounded, be discipline and remember the persons that touched his life during his
Shimron Hetmyer
journey to success. He is urged to remember his parents, his community, his cricket club (players and administrators) and mostly the almighty. The YWCC takes this opportunity to also congratulate young Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford on their pick and wish them well.
failed is because of the lack of proper sports [programmes] in schools,” he said. “Back in the days, children would be signed up with one of the cricket clubs or other sports clubs because of their love for the game. Because there are no proper sporting programmes in school system, there is no transition to the clubs,” he explained. Tucker wants to engage schools, especially those in the Bourda area, to enlighten them about the facilities and opportunities available at the GCC and encourage them to join as associate members. Sponsorship will also be sought for various GCC sports teams in an effort to re-energise the Club. “All the plans we have are not possible without revenue. We can plan and plan and plan but if we don’t have a source of income to develop or sustain the development of these things, then all is lost.” Discussing the sporting activities accommodated by the GCC, Tucker said, at the moment, the club has six successful first and second division cricket teams: U13, U-15, U-17 and U-19. Coaching is done by the GCC. It also has two successful hockey teams – male and female – divided into varying age categories. Hockey is played on the grounds as well as squash. Additionally, dancing classes, karate, jujitsu and yoga classes are held there. Discussing some of the other plans to revive the ground, Tucker identified improving drainage as a priority. The new committee will hold discussions with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the City Council to address this situation.
Also, under his leadership, the GCC will move to have the club structure registered as a heritage building. In relation to sports, the Club wants to introduce 10-overs cricket and inter-ward cricket. “We are well aware that the glory days of cricket and test matches at Bourda may be behind us... nevertheless, our past president, Lionel Jaikarran was able to light the ground…so we can play night cricket,” he said. Night football and corporate football matches will also be held on the ground. However, pegged football shoes will be prohibited to avoid damage. Tucker said that there are plans for an all-weather batting and bowling area where the Lance Gibbs stand used to be. Other plans include starting a table tennis programme. Moreover, half of the ground will be converted into a party stand to allow spectators to experience games at ground level and move around freely. He noted that the ground is being properly maintained and was used for women’s T-20 practice sessions recently. Tucker said he believes in a leadership style of inclusivity. “I believe there should be an open relationship between GCC and its members…” he said, adding that many have paid their fees over the past years, expecting nothing in return. “It’s time for us to figure out what they want and [put facilities in place] for them…” All eyes are on Tucker to see if he can climb his mountain and help restore the GCC and the legendary Bourda ground to their former glory.
Marginal decisions went against Windies: Brathwaite DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – Skipper Carlos Brathwaite revealed yesterday he had complained to the ICC match referee Jeff Crowe about the standard of umpiring following the s e c o n d Tw e n t y 2 0 International last Thursday. Speaking in the wake of the controversy of the third T20 International, Brathwaite said he was prompted to take the action because of his concern that no marginal decisions were going in West Indies’ favour. “I went to the match referee after the second game. I didn’t think the 5050 decisions were going in our favour. Those decisions went for Bangladesh,” Brathwaite said in the postmatch media conference. “I never ever want to
West Indies skipper Carlos Brathwaite.
accuse someone of cheating. I will stop short of that. They are professionals as well. I don’t think they would go out there to be biased or, for lack of a better word, cheat. ”I didn’t accuse them of cheating but I made my point clear to the match referee that every 50-50 decision in the ODI series and T20I
series up to that point went against us. Traditionally, we haven’t played the best cricket, whether red or white ball. But I found that every time I have been playing for the West Indies, the decisions have hampered us. It happened earlier in the (Continued on page 69)
Kaieteur News
Sunday December 23, 2018
PAGE 75
Malteenoes Awards Ceremony
Barker is Senior Cricketer of the Year, Scott Junior Cricketer
By Sean Devers
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ll-Rounder Nkosie Barker copped Awards for Best Batsman, Best Bowler and Senior Cricketer of the year, Jeremiah Scott took the Award for Junior Cricketer of the Year, while Stephon Brown took the Award for Most improved player when the Malteenoes Sports Club held its Awards Ceremony on Friday night at their clubhouse in Thomas Lands. Barker, an off-spinning allrounder and second division Captain, enjoyed an outstanding season with both bat and ball, while 16-year-old Jeremiah Scott, who scored a 42-ball 110 against Diplomats at MSC in the NBS 40over second division tournament had a good season.
Junior cricketer of the year was presented Wayne Bollers who collected the Trophy from national cricketer Steven Jacobs on behalf of Jeremiah Scott.
Best batsman & Bowler of the Year Nkosie Barker collect his Trophy from past President and former National Batsman. (Sean Devers photos)
Most improved player of the year Stephon Brown gets his Trophy from MSC Executive member Troy Lewis.
The left-handed Brown followed up his 67 in the Noble House Seafoods two-day second division semi-final at Bourda with 106 in the NBS 40-overs game against GYO. Past President and former National player Neil Barry congratulated the Executives for reviving the Awards Ceremony after it was last held to celebrate the club’s centenary anniversary in 2002. He provided a brief his history of the club which was formed in 1902 by a Barbadian Tailor, Ferdinand Archer. Barry lamented that the last MSC player selected to represent Guyana was Steven Sankar in 2003 and hoped that this can be soon corrected. In 1987 half of Guyana’s 14-man U-19 squad to Jamaica,
came from MSC. The 1980s saw the most successful tenure of a club which West Indies players like John Trim, Barrington Browne, Rex Collymore, Colin Stuart and female batter Indomattie Goordial, called home. Vice-President and former Guyana youth player Shawn Holder told the gathering which included past President Edward Richmond and GCA’s President and ex Windies off-spinner Roger Harper, that this event could not have been possible without the players who performed reasonably well throughout the season. M S C P r e s i d e n t Wi n s t o n Semple said the highlight of the year was the infrastructural work done, adding work on the all-
weather practice facility is in process, while informing that an Office Block containing seven offices, is on cards. “This project will provide jobs for the members and allow the young players a place to do their studies,” Semple informed. Past President Claude Raphael, who was instrumental in forming the youth section in 1984 and was at the helm when the Malteenoes Cricket Academy (the first in the Caribbean) was launched in 1992, also spoke at the Ceremony. Raphael commended the Executives for moving their Club forward and bringing back the Awards Ceremony which has not been held for 18 years. Resurrecting the Cricket Academy was also mentioned in what was a successful year for the
club which has been in existence for 116 years. “The players must give their best efforts at all times and team work is the name of the game for the players and Administers who have unenviable task of maintaining the facility sometimes without the financial support required,” said Raphael who congratulated all who collected Awards. Special Awards of appreciation were given to Lennox Cush, Theresa Pemberton, Roger Phillips, Morlan Fitzalbert, Yadiam Rajkumar, Alwyn Zala, Allison Butters-Grant, Sherwood Lowe, Chetram Singh, Ursula Spencer, Troy Lewis, while NBS, 4-R Bearings, Trophy Stall and Mike’s Pharmacy were also awarded for their contribution to Malteenoes for the year 2018.
Aubameyang brace gives Arsenal win over Burnley (Reuters) - ARSENAL 3 BURNLEY 1 rsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals in yesterday’s 3-1 home win over struggling Burnley, returning his side to winning ways after two straight defeats. The Gabon forward gave Arsenal the lead in the 14th minute, knocking in a pass from Sead Kolasinac after a classy ball from Mesut Ozil. He then smashed high into the net in the 48th to complete an impressive counter-attack from Unai Emery’s side. Burnley, 18th in the table and without an away win since September, hit back with a scrappy goal from Ashley Barnes having spurned a good chance to take an unlikely lead at the start of the game when
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Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)
Ashley Westwood was denied by the feet of Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Substitute Alex Iwobi restored Arsenal’s two-goal cushion with a simple finish in stoppage-time, helped by another clever move from German playmaker Ozil, who was left out of the team for Wednesday’s 2-0 League
Cup defeat by Tottenham Hotspur. Aubameyang’s brace moved him on to 12 goals for the season, leapfrogging Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as the league’s top scorer and taking fifth-placed Arsenal on to 37 points, level with Chelsea who play Leicester City later.
A r s e n a l ’s 2 2 - g a m e unbeaten run in all competitions was halted on Sunday with a 3-2 defeat at Southampton and they were knocked out of the League Cup at the quarter-final stage with a painful home loss to north London neighbours Tottenham. They were given little
respite from a highly physical Burnley side but ultimately had too much quality for Sean Dyche’s side.“We expected it to be tough, we prepared the match thinking about what they would do, that they would be strong in the air, so we made sure we won the duels and we also wanted to
impose our game plan,” Arsenal coach Emery told reporters. “We could not play as we wanted to for 90 minutes but we are very happy with the victory. Physicality is part of football, you always need to be strong as well as impose your quality, and our victory today is a consequence of this.”Burnley coach Dyche credited his team for causing Arsenal problems, but cursed their own defensive vulnerabilities. “Overall I was pleased with the performance, especially the mentality to come here and take on the game,” he said. “A couple of their goals were soft, but attacking-wise we were a problem today for them. We could have got something but we know even with a good performance you can’t afford to give away goals like the two we let in.”
t r o Sp Evin Lewis shapes to hit into the leg side, Bangladesh v West Indies, 3rd T20I, Mirpur, December 22, 2018 ©Raton Gomes
Lewis, Paul deliver Windies rare series win Keemo Paul kneels down in celebration after completing his five-wicket haul, Bangladesh v West Indies, 3rd T20I, Mirpur, December 22, 2018 ©AFP
Captain of Champions Timehri Panthers, Omar Sam collecting the winner’s trophy from EBFA President, Franklin Wilson in the presence of his excited club mates.
Timehri Panthers are 3rd EBFA/Ralph Green - Keron Williams is MVP; U-11 League champions Omar Sam ends with 23 goals 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.