Kaieteur News
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Tuesday December 25, 2018
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
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oday, Guyanese from all walks of life are celebrating Christmas at home and in the diaspora. Christmas is a time of joy, peace and goodwill towards all mankind and to strengthen bonds with loved ones and within communities. In the Guyanese tradition, Christmas is a time to spread happiness with family and friends, attend parties and partake in the finest Guyanese dishes. This Yuletide season should serve as a period of reflection on our lives and how we must redouble our efforts to live in peace and harmony, build a better and prosperous Guyana and provide a better life for all. It is a time when Christians come together to sing lustily in their places of worship as they joyously celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas will greet some of us feeling on top of the world, happy to be alive, despite the challenges facing the country. But it will find many others feeling unhappy, some through their own faults, while others are victims of circumstance––joblessness, poverty or personal illness. We hope that the less fortunate will get the opportunity to experience the joy of Christmas through the generous acts of kindness from those who are better off and are conscious of their obligation to their fellowman. On this festive occasion, we must all pray for those who are bedridden, the less fortunate, those who have lost loved ones during the year, and for those battling depression, alcohol and substance abuse. Let us hope that their spirits will be lifted and that they will seek help and refrain from their bad habits. It is that time of the year when the poor feel, most acutely, the deep distress of not being able to provide for their families as they would like, particularly their children who are too young to even understand the meaning of poverty. We should show compassion to them as Jesus did in an earlier time period. Christmas is also a time for healing and to forget the hurt, animosity, persecution and bitterness, to renew our love for one another; hold out a hand of friendship to neighbours and friends and to those from whom we have been estranged and have done us wrong. As we gather to share gifts and feast together, we must recapture the spirit of the message that brought joy to the world 2000 years ago—a child born to save the world in a manger surrounded by animals. The spirit of giving has not been made easy for many who wanted to give but are not in a position to do so. The happiness and joy of Christmas continues to elude the poor and the downtrodden in Guyana. Too often, it is the greedy, not the needy; the rich and not the poor who enjoy Christmas. We must not forget the tragedies the country has experienced, the goodness and kindness shown to us by others, and be thankful for the peace that has surrounded our nation during difficult times. Christmas has become much more than a religious event for Christians celebrating Jesus’ birth. It is also celebrated by non-religious groups, and shown respect by people of other faiths. In many ways it is unfortunate that it has become overly commercialized. In light of the passage of the fall of the government, the holidays should give the ruling elite and the opposition a chance to reflect on the importance of inclusive governance, so that they can make better decisions in the interest of the people. As a nation, we are hoping that the festive season will bring healing, atonement, cooperation and genuine and competent leadership. Best wishes for an enjoyable, peaceful, safe and merry Christmas to all.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
CHARRANDASS PERSAUD CAUGHT PNC, PPP, WPA, AND AFC WITH THEIR PANTS DOWN DEAR Editor, An almost unknown politician from Berbice has caught the PNC, PPP, WPA, and the AFC with their pants down. No one except the middle aged lawyer Charrandass Persaud knew that general elections will be called in March 2019 rather than late 2020; and as a result there is now a mad rush to name Presidential candidates for the most important office in the land.It is not likely that the outgoing President David Granger, who is the leader of the coalition APNU/AFC will run for office because he is now undergoing rigorous treatment for cancer. The second in command of the government is the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo who is from the AFC and
he will not be considered to run for the top position as a member of the PNC. The No.2 person in the PNC is Volda Lawrence who was recently elected as Chairman, after she defeated Joe Harmon and Basil Williams. But she is now very unpopular for the comment she made that she will only give jobs to her PNC comrades and friends.Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, who served as Finance Minister in the Desmond Hoyte administration, is very experienced and is honest, but he is not considered as a “people’s person” because he does not dabble too much with the rank and file. Williams was popular with the rank and file and was the (Continued on page 5)
Tuesday December 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
A most abusive councillor DEAREDITOR, Permit me a space to express my dissatisfaction on an issue that is bothering me and my family members. Before local government elections a female candidate of the PPP, Ms. Megan Thomas, has been having some personal issues with my aunt, Ms. Grace Atkinson, a well-known business woman of Lethem. On numerous occasions Ms Thomas met and threatened this woman and verbally abused her in the public. She even told her she will hit her down with her car and kill her. These matters were all reported to the Lethem Police Station. This lady was warned by the Lethem police officers. After Local Government elections this woman was elected to be a councilor on the Lethem Town Council. A few days later she met my aunt who was shopping at a store and verbally abused her. She also assaulted my aunt and caused bodily harm.They were brought before the Lethem Magistrate’s Court where the magistrate sided with Thomas although my aunt tried to explain to him that
this was not the first time they had a confrontation. My aunt even tried to show him the marks on her body. She also expressed to the magistrate that she is fearful for her life. The magistrate told her all the reports were with the police, and she should find out what they did with such reports. He put them on the bond to keep the peace.What is most bothering to me Mr. Editor, is that this same PPP councilor will soon be swearing in and taking an oath. Is this the kind of woman the PPP wants to represent the municipality of Lethem?Thomas proudly says that the magistrate is her friend and he would not go against her. My aunt now suffers from severe headaches and blurred vision after the assault while this PPP Councilor roams free. The PPP is not in power as yet and is already started condoning their councilors to abuse women. What else will they condone seeing that they have not taken office as yet in the township? Concernedandupset, Selvia Atkinson
CHARRANDASS PERSAUD CAUGHT... From page 4 top vote getter five years ago when the PNC was trying to identify a Presidential Candidate. However it seems as if the Attorney General is no longer the bright light in his party.There is a rumour that Raphael Trotman who is now the leader of the AFC, might return to his old party the PNC where he was a member of the executive, and might be Presidential candidate, but Harmon, Williams, Lawrence and other party stalwarts will not allow such a move. We will have to wait and see.Over in the PPP camp, former President Bharrat Jagdeo cannot seek re-election having served two consecutive terms. The Caribbean Court of Justice turned down a motion which sought an Order for him to contest. The Russian-trained economist nevertheless is the boss for the party since he has been named general secretary and has total control of Freedom House and its members. He will have the biggest say in identifying the candidate for the top job. He will no doubt want to name
someone he can totally control. The name Irfaan Ally is being tossed around, but he does not have a good reputation, and was recently charged for 19 offences for corruption.Former attorney General Anil Nandlall is brilliant and articulate. He will be the ideal person for the top post, but he too is facing a criminal charge . The next name being called is Frank Anthony. He is decent, soft spoken and not aggressive to deal with the PNC.Despite the charge Nandlall is facing, I will support his candidacy because from reports the prosecution case is weak. And while there is uncertainty in the political field, Venezuela has strengthened its claim on part of Guyana. There are reports that the Venezuelan Navy may have interfered with vessels operating on behalf of ExxonMobil. Guyana has the sovereign right to explore and exploit resources in its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone. Oscar Ramjeet
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THE CHAOS IS BOTH OPPORTUNITY AND CHALLENGE D EAR E DITOR , The cou n tr y has predictably been set into uproar because of the decision made by Alliance For Change Parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud, to side with the opposition in bringing a no confidence motion against the government of Guyana. There is nothing much to say about the circumstances and motivations behind Mr. Persaud’s position except that they are not anomalous to the poisoned environment that is our national political arena. Now we are faced with – a year and a half ahead of schedule – the most significant national elections in our post-independence history and all the potential harm they hold for the stability of our country. There is the African proverb that is often quoted in relation to our political system, the one that says, “When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”. And yes, it is true, that whenever political behemoths clash, it is often the people beneath them that are trampled upon. But elephants do not survive; they cannot survive, without succor from the
grass itself. It is always the grass that is essential, that fuels the very conflict that kills it. Our people need to stop being passive, we need to stop acting as if we are mere grass. Of course, I know it is a difficult proposal for people to be expected to change their fundamental concept of how the social contract works. The country we expect and we deserve is not some promised land of plenty that we stumble upon travelling the same path we have travelled for the past sixty years.C i t i z e n s h i p requires a protected space in which there is sustained and dedicated cultivation and this is where a certain quantum of people come in, those who have expressed an interest in meaningful and lasting peace and stability based not on partisan hegemony but on the creation of civic structures that are the basis of a society based fundamentally and primarily on inclusiveness and the celebration of our diversity.Those who mean well have so far been too d i s i l l u s i o n e d t o o ff e r sustained inputs, or to come together in any structured way to ensure that their
inputs can have a lasting impact. What we have had so far are people who have made their contributions in silos, and seeing no tangible change, retreated. One might as well put random raw ingredients before a child and expect him to make himself a meal and give up on them when they do not. It is time that a quantum of people with the requisite skills and genuine commitment to this country come together around a fundamental set of core p r i n c i p l e s – e q u i t y, transparency, diversity, rule of law, civic capacity – as well as a concrete plan for the implementation of measures towards those principles. Anything else is a recipe for the continued disaster and dysfunction that we’re plagued by.The current chaos therefore is both opportunity for and challenge to those who can contribute to a transformed society to do so, our young people in particular. There is nothing that binds the generations of the future to the sins of the past. Next year the next chapter of our history begins – my hope that it is on a different page. Ruel Johnson
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Kaieteur News
Rejecting Irfaan Ali as Presidential candidate DEAR EDITOR, Guyana is certainly heading for some exciting times and we should be optimistic and see the opportunities. Our democracy is maturing in keeping with a developing country where citizens have the right to choose those who represent them in their villages, Parliament and ultimately the Government. With this in mind, I believe that both major parties will have to choose new leaders and I would like to share my bit on choosing the new Presidential Candidate of the Opposing PPP/C. As a third generation PPP supporter I believe I have a moral right to state my views and choice for the next candidate because ultimately I will be affected
and the rest of the country by the choice of the incoming PPP Presidential Candidate. I would like to unequivocally state my disapproval of Irfaan Ali being on the list of potential list of candidates to be considered. I say so from reports and first hand witnessing his arrogance, pettiness, shady management of the housing sector, unfair distribution of house lots, favouring of his friends, some Muslim brothers, women and of course business partners. His tract record has been marred with inconsistencies and mismanagement. He single-handedly chooses who he wanted to receive house lots over those with legitimate requests and was even willing to bend
rules and regulations to his whims and fancy. These are not only my personal views but the culmination of views of ordinary grass root citizens of our country across both political divides. As such, I, on behalf of the voiceless ordinary lifelong supporters of the PPP, demand better of the executive members of the PPP to make a choice that will be welcomed by the grassroots and not only by the executives. A wide cross section of supporters have indicated they WILL NOT ACCEPT Irfaan Ali as a Presidential Candidate, but will be willing to vote with a clear conscious for Frank Anthony, Anil Nandlall, Gail Teixeira, Bishop Edghill or even Charles Ramson, Nigel D h a r a m l a l l , Vi n d y a Persaud, Collin Croal and Shyam Nokta in no specific order. The Executive of the PPP in going forward needs to make a choice of Presidential Candidate for all of Guyana and not choose or disapprove of a potential candidate because of personal likes and dislikes but by proven track record of competency, commitment to Party and Country and most of all humility. Sincerely, S. Hamid (Jnr.) Third Generation PPP Supporter
Tuesday December 25, 2018
Happy Christmas! Happy after-effects…! DEAR EDITOR, In our multi-cultural, multi-religious society it is common for Guyanese to participate in the festivities associated with religions other than their own. Undoubtedly, the best example of this is the Christian Christmas celebration. Hindus, Muslims and Christians all directly participate in many of the benefits associated with Christmas. Merchants of all religions and no religion look forward to a traditional boom in economic activity at Christmas time. Purchases of food, clothing, household appliances, toys and gifts are a feature of every Guyanese Christmas. The sale of alcohol skyrockets and unfortunately so does the incidence of road accidents and road fatalities. Much of the festivity trickles into the New Year celebrations and at the end of the first week in January, merchants are laughing all the way to the bank and consumers are asking where did my money go? Fortunately, there is still a section of the Guyana population that understands and remembers the reason for the season and what the Christmas festival is all about. No serious person claims that Jesus was born on December 25, but the overwhelming
percentage of the world’s population knows that Jesus was born. Celebrating his birth on any other day would have no less or no greater significance than celebrating it on December 25. Our scientifically defended Bible tells us all we need to know about Jesus Christ and because unlike the founders of other religions, Jesus is alive, He makes Himself available to individually tell us all that we need to know about Himself. His birth was only one part of a divine universal plan. Equally important was His crucifixion, resurrection and His ascension, and Christians look forward to His return.This year we get to celebrate the birthday of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords and of someone who loves us more than anyone else can. Whether you think of Him as baby Jesus or the conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah on His birthday this year, let us all give Him a gift that is acceptable to Him, and the only gift that we can give that means anything to Him is the gift of ourselves – our will, our mind, our emotions and our spirit. Have a happy, merry, Christ-centred Christmas and may all the after-effects be pleasant! Phyllis J. Jordan Caretaker-Councillor – Constituency 4
The political system has outlived its usefulness Dear Editor, The festive season of Christmas and the New Year has dawned upon us. If there is one thing most Guyanese would remember for a long time, it is the no-confidence motion against this current APNU-AFC administration. The motion was passed a mere three days before Christmas Day and sent shockwaves across the length and breadth of the country. This development, however, should not be any reason to detract from the significance or the festivity of the season. Rather, it should be seen as an advance in our evolving democracy where all political parties are afforded a new opportunity to do some serious stocktaking on the way forward for Guyana.
I will maintain that the current ‘winner takes it all’ model of governance has outlived its usefulness and should be replaced by a new governance paradigm where all political parties should be afforded an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to decision-making at all levels of governance. For one thing this current governance model has failed to address the issue of ethnic insecurity and the building of trust across party lines. As we celebrate this festive season, let us put aside whatever political differences we may have and reflect on the true meaning and significance of Christmas. I wish to take this opportunity to extend Christmas greetings to all Guyanese. Hydar Ally
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 25, 2018
EPA’s $624M Budget does not cater for oil preparations By Kiana Wilburg The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be one of the key regulatory agencies in Guyana’s petroleum sector. However, the agency’s 2019 budget does not cater for oil preparations. This was confirmed with the EPA’s Head, Dr. Vincent Adams. During an exclusive interview with this newspaper, the EPA Head said he does not have the human or financial resources needed for the proper management of the oil sector. In fact, the agency does not even have the human resources needed to be an effective regulatory body. In this regard, Dr. Adams said that currently, he has a staff of 97 officers. But for the EPA to be efficient, it needs a total of 262. Further to this, Dr. Adams said that the agency is continuously borrowing the equipment of other ministries to do its work. It is also unable to do proper monitoring due to its poor fleet of vehicles. Dr. Adams said, “My staff members are not trained
to deal with this (oil) sector. I don’t have engineers on my staff. Most of them have a Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Guyana. They are hard and dedicated workers, but they don’t have the science-based qualifications for the fundamental sectors we have to manage such as mining.” The EPA Head continued, “I have one engineer, four chemistry majors and three biologists . I want to hire some more people, and get petroleum engineers, mining engineers, geologists, hydrologists, and chemical engineers. So before we can even get to preparing for oil, we need to get our human resources right to carry out our mandate, to fulfill our fundamental duties, and oil will soon be part of that…The reality is that we are understaffed. So I have to tackle all these things.” The Environmental Engineer added, “I have to submit a supplemental early next year so I can get the funds to hire the professionals we need. I have made these issues known to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Finance Minister, Winston Jordan and
- Agency needs 165 more professionals to be effective
EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams they have been very supportive…” Turning his attention to the oil sector, the EPA Head told Kaieteur News that the supplementary he is preparing for 2019, will take into account, the money needed to transform EPA into a tough oil and gas regulator. He said, “Right now, I have $624M for 2019, but that did not take our preparations for oil into consideration. When I was brought on a few
months ago, the budget preparation for the agency was already at an advanced stage. My first task when I came on was to do an assessment of the Agency and see where it is…And it needs major restructuring.” FORENSICAUDIT REVEALS The issue of EPA being woefully understaffed was raised in a forensic audit report that was done by Char-
tered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran since 2015. But since then, nothing was done about it. In the audit that was commissioned by the APNU+AFC administration, Goolsarran said that the agency needs an additional 165 officers to “fully and effectively” execute its mandate. He noted for example that EPA’s Compliance Department has 27 officers, but needs an additional 63 to be effective. NO EIA DEPT With the burgeoning oil and gas sector on the way, it will be incumbent on the EPA to sharpen its evaluation skills in several areas such as the review of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) that would be submitted by oil operators. EIAs provide an assessment of the likely human environmental health impact, risk to ecological health, and changes to nature’s services that a project may have. They also provide some of the ways in which operators will go
about protecting the environment as they pursue the exploitation of a nation’s resources. Dr. Vincent Adams acknowledged that there are indeed concerns about the capacity of the EPA to properly review EIAs for the oil and gas sector. He noted however that this is an area that he intends to address with his staff once the funds become available. In terms of the current structure, Dr. Adams said that there is no one department that is in charge of going through and monitoring EIAs to ensure that there is compliance by the oil operator. Dr. Adams said, “We are not divided in such a way that we have one particular body of people or department that deals with EIAs. However, we are looking to put together a strategic plan that will address such issues. While we don’t have a section that monitors EIAs, we do have different individuals who are spread across the agency and they ensure that the requirements for an EIA are met…”
CJIA’s US$150M and counting…
Not yet commissioned, Arrivals terminal inadequate
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modified terminal building at the Timehri airport is already facing constraints, and it is not even commissioned as yet. Passengers disclosed that the brand new Arrivals terminal, located at southern side of the old terminal building, can barely accommodate three plane loads of passengers. In fact, lines are curling into those corridors that lead to the air bridges when there are just three planes. Should there be four or five planes landing, of the Boeing 737 size, the problems would be multiplied, a number of stakeholders complained. This would not be what was envisaged when the fixed price, Design and Building contract was signed in late 2011, at the end of the Bharrat Jagdeo administration. In the “Background” of the agreement that the then government signed justifying the US$150M project, it was explained that the government of Guyana has identified tourism as a priority in the country’s economic development plan and recognizes that improvement of Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is of paramount importance in order to promote a sustainable tourism industry. It was specific on the space
The smaller terminal building, one-storeyed, could only hold the Arrivals section, and even then, it is too small issue.In fact this is what the contract says on the justification: “The existing airport terminal building is not currently capable of meeting peak traffic demand, or of expanding to meet the desired growth in passenger volume. It also cannot accommodate state-of-the-art airport terminal systems for passenger comfort, convenience and efficiency.” The agreement with the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), further said that one-storey terminal building cannot accommodate aircraft boarding bridges forcing passengers to walk to and from the aircraft
along the apron. “The ability to generate revenue from concessions, airline office space and ticket counter usage is also limited. Expansion capabilities of the existing terminal are compromised due to the current terminal configurations.”However, several things have gone wrong with this project with three administrations unable to explain how one contractor, a Chinese company, could have held Guyana at ransom like this without any known sanctions. A project that was supposed to see a brand new,
two-storey terminal building, to house the Arrival and Departure section, and more concession space, has been significantly modified. An Arrivals section has been built and instead of the old terminal building torn down or used for something else, it was gutted renovated to include the Departure area.Millions of dollars, and this is US dollars, would have been saved from the modified project. The problem is that Guyana has not been apprised of the details of the modifications and the
reasons.In fact, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday, attempts to raise the matter in the National Assembly over time would have been them being shutdown by one-line answers by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, which is in charge of the project. He said that under a new government of the People’s
Progressive Party, it will review what went wrong. Kaieteur News had raised several questionable expenses in the contract
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 25, 2018
Cabinet sub-committee exploring legal options following No-Confidence Vote Not so fast. After accepting Friday’s historic no-confidence vote in Parliament, the Government said it is exploring the legal and constitutional aspects of the decision. In response to the decision, President David Granger yesterday convened special meetings of the Cabinet and the National Security Committee (NSC). Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said that the Cabinet examined all of the legal and constitutional aspects of the vote in the National Assembly and established the Sub-Committee to advise on this matter. The Sub-Committee, Harmon disclosed, will examine all the legal opinions available and report to Cabinet on Thursday, December 27th with recommendations on the way forward. “The Government wishes to give the full assurance to you the citizens that all necessary measures to ensure your safety and security are in place and that, in this regard, you
President David Granger meeting with the Cabinet go about your business in a confident manner,” Harmon pointed out. The Government has come under immense pressure from its supporters since 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 forced the collapse of the Coalition Government and General Elections within three months. Persaud’s vote gave the PPP/C a 33-32 majority at the end of a fiery debate and a tense voting process. The Motion was brought by Oppo-
sition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo who cited corruption, poor financial management and other aspects. Conceding that it is democracy at work, Leader of Government business in Parliament, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, said that the process was unpredictable, but
must be accepted. Nagamootoo insisted that the developments sparking early elections, which are reminiscent of the early 2015 general polls, is not the end, but that the Coalition will be hitting the towns and ground to send its message of the “good life”.
China “took advantage” of Ecuador... From page 3 bridges, highways, irrigation, schools, health clinics and a half dozen other dams the government is scrambling to pay for. It doesn't matter whether Ecuador can afford them. China gets paid either way. To settle the bill, China gets to keep 80 percent of Ecuador's most valuable export — oil — because many of the contracts are repaid in petroleum, not dollars. In fact, China gets the oil at a discount, then sells it for an additional profit. Pumping enough oil to repay China has become such an imperative for Ecuador that it is drilling deeper in the Amazon, threatening more deforestation. But that is not enough. Hobbled by the debts, President Lenín Moreno has slashed social spending, gasoline subsidies, several government agencies and more than 1,000 public jobs. Most economists expect the country to slide into recession, stirring outrage. “China took advantage of Ecuador,” said Ecuador's energy minister, Carlos Pérez. “The strategy of China is clear. They take economic control of countries.” Just this month, Mr. Moreno flew to China to renegotiate some of his country's debt — and borrow another $900 million. “The Chinese put the hook in,” said Steve Hanke, a Johns Hopkins economist. “At the end of the day, what do these countries have? A pig in a poke.” China seemed particularly interested in oil from Ecuador, one of OPEC's smallest members. In one deal in 2009, China lent Ecuador $1 billion, to be repaid in oil shipments to the state oil company PetroChina. Mr. Correa suddenly had access to money, but a new crisis emerged: The country was running out of power. A drought was depleting the nation's reservoirs, paralyzing its dams. Rather than look for another
source, Mr. Correa doubled down on hydro power. Officials say it was Mr. Correa's electricity minister, Aleksey Mosquera, who first mentioned Coca Codo Sinclair: a megaproject that was supposed to provide a third of the country's electricity and represent the single largest investment in Ecuador's history. It ended up being built right under the Reventador volcano — and nearly twice the size of the proposed dam that had been rejected decades before. When it finally opened in late 2016, China's president, Xi Jinping, flew to Ecuador to celebrate. Yet only two days before the visit, the dam was in chaos. Engineers had tried to generate the project's full 1500 megawatts, but neither the facility nor Ecuador's electrical grid could handle it. The equipment s h u d d e r e d d a n g e r o u s l y, a n d blackouts spread across the country, officials said. Ecuadoreans were never told about the failure, and a full power test has not been attempted since. Today, the dam typically runs at half capacity. Experts say that given its design — and the cycle of wet and dry seasons in Ecuador — it would be able to generate the full amount of electricity for only a few hours a day, six months out of the year. That is, if everything worked perfectly. Ecuador still has to pay back the debt, though. The $1.7 billion loan from China's Export-Import Bank is lucrative for China: 7 percent interest over 15 years. In interest alone, Ecuador owes $125 million a year. Now, many Ecuadoreans say the burden falls on them. EVIDENCE OF POSSIBLE BRIBERY At an entrance to the dam is an inscription, in marble. “Jorge Glas Espinel, vice
president of the republic,” it says. “For having forged and envisioned this monumental project.” Mr. Glas now sits in a cell in Ecuador, sentenced to six years in prison. He was convicted of taking bribes from China's main competitor for infrastructure projects in much of Latin America: Odebrecht, a Brazilian construction giant. American prosecutors say Odebrecht paid $33.5 million in bribes in Ecuador as part of a worldwide scheme to win business. Now Ecuadorean officials are investigating whether the Chinese also made payments to Mr. Glas and others around him. “I don't think it's a coincidence that all the same people managed all these projects,” said Mr. Pérez, the energy minister. The officials include Mr. Mosquera, the former electricity minister, who is serving a five-year sentence for taking $1 million from Odebrecht; and Carlos Pólit, the former anti-corruption official, who was charged with receiving millions in bribes from the company. Ricardo Rivera, another close associate of Mr. Glas, was also convicted of receiving payments from the Brazilians. But evidence has emerged suggesting that officials took bribes from China as well. Ecuadorean law enforcement officials say they have confirmed a secret tape recorded by an Odebrecht executive, given to Brazilian prosecutors and leaked to the Brazilian news media. In the recording, made at the house of Mr. Pólit, the anti-corruption official, the two men discuss a bribe. The executive can be heard saying that Mr. Glas, Ecuador's vice president, was “asking for a lot of money.” The executive then explained that he was told “it was an obligation because the Chinese had already
paid.” The recording has set off an investigation, particularly around Mr. Rivera, who presented himself as the vice president's representative during multiple visits to China, according to Ecuadorean law enforcement officials. They say they are examining 13 bank transfers worth $17.4 million authorized by Mr. Rivera to an HSBC account i n H o n g K o n g . L a w enforcement officials say they consider the bank transfers authentic — and want to know how Mr. Rivera deposited so much money in China. Until recently, Attorney General Paúl Pérez was leading an investigation into corruption by the Chinese, and traveled to China in November to ask for help. But Mr. Pérez abruptly resigned on Nov. 13, shortly after returning. He did not respond to interview requests. A lawyer for Mr. Glas denied that his client had been involved in corruption with Coca Coda Sinclair, calling Mr. Glas “an honorable, honest man” and describing the dam's problems as “small imperfections.” Mr. Correa, the former president, is in exile in Belgium, wanted for organizing the kidnapping of a rival. Many of his lieutenants have been sentenced for corruption or are on the run as well. Mr. Pólit and a lawyer for Mr. Rivera did not respond to requests for comment; nor did Sinohydro, the Chinese state-owned construction giant that built the dam. 7,648 CRACKS IN THE DAM'S MACHINERY When you approach Coca Codo Sinclair along the Quijos River, it's hard to tell you're nearing a dam at all. Much of the reservoir containing the project's water supply has filled up with small trees and bushes. Boats sometimes get grounded
because the sediment is so thick. Workers at the dam say the silting, a consequence of design flaws, is only the latest problem. As early as 2014, technicians noticed cracks in the Chinese-made stainless steel equipment. That December, 13 workers were killed when a tunnel flooded and collapsed. A senior engineer sent records to Mr. Correa, the president, asking to brief him on the problems, according to documents viewed by The Times. The engineer was fired days later, according to former officials. Mr. Pólit, the anti-corruption official, performed audits. But they resulted in only mild criticism like work delays, with minor fines against the Chinese. Ecuadorean law enforcement officials say they are investigating whether Mr. Pólit and other officials were paid by the Chinese to overlook the problems. It was part of Mr. Pérez's inquiry before his resignation, they say. Now, 7,648 cracks have developed in the dam's machinery, according to the government, because of substandard steel and inadequate welding by Sinohydro. Sand and silt are also big concerns because they can damage vital equipment. On a recent visit, an engineer looked on nervously as readouts showed sand flowing into the dam. But workers say they're sometimes confused because of shoddy translations. One sign in Chinese reads correctly: “Direct-Current (DC) Pumping Group.” The Spanish does not: “Pressure Group from Washington, D.C.” A sign in Chinese, English and Spanish instructs employees on the dam's equipment. The Chinese reads correctly: “Direct-Current (DC) Pumping Group.” The Spanish does not: “Pressure Group from Washington, D.C.”
Tuesday December 25, 2018
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Kaieteur News
The AFC can still have the last laugh
T
he government still has not learnt its lesson. It has failed to grasp how its treatment of the Alliance For Change may have triggered one of the AFC’s parliamentarians to support the no-confidence motion. The Member of Parliament, Mr. Charrandass Persaud, has said that his party, the Alliance for Change, had become ‘yes men’ for APNU, and that his party was not heeding what he was saying to them. In other words, he was saying that he was fed up with the lack of independence of his party. Since it entered government, the AFC has been shooting itself in the foot. It went along slavishly with APNU for far too long, including in its handling of the downsizing of the Guyana Sugar Corporation. The AFC allowed itself to become a utensil of APNU. It did APNU’s every bidding, much to the discontent of its members. And even after APNU decided to shaft the AFC by not reaching an agreement to jointly contest the 2018 local government elections, the AFC put its tail
between its legs and continued its uncritical support of APNU. And this, despite the party being undermined by APNU from day one of the coalition government. The Prime Minister was not sworn in immediately after the President was inaugurated in May 2015. In fact, the President announced Joseph Harmon as the head of the Presidential Secretariat before he had sworn in the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister was eventually sworn in, he was given the information portfolio. But APNU created another unit within the Ministry of the Presidency which sends out reports and press releases from that Ministry and from the President. Under the Cummingsburg Accord, the AFC was supposed to be granted responsibility for the portfolio of internal security. This was done. But the portfolio was diluted, with the immigration and citizenship handed to an APNU appointee. The AFC said nothing about the short-circuiting of the portfolio of its two most senior Ministers. The AFC leader Raphael
Trotman was originally the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment. The Ministry was degutted of the environment portfolio, and then oil and gas was taken away from it. Again, the AFC raised no protests. It went along meekly with those decisions. Given that experience, it is not surprising that one of the AFC members may have decided that an end had to be put to this unsavory state of affairs.It is one thing when you are dealing with government policy, to demand collective co-responsibility, in which all members of the government are obliged to support a common position. As such, it is expected that in such cases there is the demand that parliamentarians vote along party lines. However, that does not apply to a no-confidence motion. A no-confidence vote is a conscience vote. It is for the members of parliament to vote in accordance with their conscience when it comes to noconfidence motions. A no-confidence motion is aimed at demonstrating that the government has the support of the legislators. Legis-
New High Court rules require tweaking While the new Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) or High Court rules have been yielding positive changes in the area of judicial case management, there are some aspects of the mechanism which require tweaking. In an invited comment, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall spoke of some of the issues members of the local bar are having with implementation of the rules. Nandlall noted that while the implementation of the new CPR should be applauded, there is some omission, and ambiguity, as it relates to the mechanism. “The omission and ambiguity of new court rules is to be expected, fortunately most of the issues have been identified and a bar/bench committee has been established to iron out the issues and make the necessary recommendations for amendments. This should conclude soon.” The new Civil Procedure Rules, (CPR) of 2016 were brought into force to replace Guyana’s existing rules, which date back to 1955. The changes have brought the new rules in line with similar rules in the Caribbean. The 187-page document contains procedures for settling civil matters and making payments both in and
out of court. Under the new guidelines, a number of mechanisms were adapted towards providing speedy hearings, and an end to what would have been lengthy civil trials. The Fixed Date Application (FDA) is one method being used to fast track and dispose of matters shortly after the date filed. According to the rules, an FDA requires that from the time a matter is filed, a date is fixed for hearing. In accordance with the rules, the court is guided by a timeline to layout a schedule to have matters heard within days after it was sought. Additionally, according to the information outlined in CPR 2016, when a proceeding is to be commenced by way of an FDA, the applicant (person applying to the court) must, attach an affidavit of all of the evidence upon which he/she relies; and attach a draft of the order that the Applicant seeks to have the Court make. The rules require that
where the FDA is urgent and made without notice, it need not be served and the Registry must schedule it to be heard on the day after it is issued” “Where the FDA is made without notice, it need not be served and the Registry must schedule it to be heard within 4 days of being issued. In the cases of urgent FDAs made on notice, the Registry must schedule it to be heard within 7 days of being issued and the application must be served at least 4 days before the date scheduled for the hearing.” In any other case, the Registry must schedule it to be heard within 28 days of being issued and the application must be served at least 7 days before the date scheduled for the hearing, unless these Rules, a Practice Direction or the Court, otherwise permit. At the hearing of the FDA, in addition to any other powers that the Court may have, the Court may award costs.
lators, on a no-confidence motion, should vote in accordance with their conscience, rather than on party lines, because it is only through a conscience vote that it can be determined if the government holds the support of the legislative members. The AFC has now become just like APNU. It is demonstrating contempt for democratic principles. The AFC has expelled Charrandass Persaud without even as much as a hearing. Even the PPPC when it expelled Khemraj Ramjattan afforded him a hearing. The PNC did the same when it brought charges against Hamilton Green. Nothing has changed
since the no-confidence motion. APNU continues to ride roughshod over the AFC. One report in the media is suggesting that soon after the no-confidence vote, the President met with a group of ministers, who in turn will meet later with their AFC colleagues. In other words, the AFC is again being made to play second fiddle to APNU, even though it holds 40% of the seats of the coalition in the National Assembly. And the AFC is quite happy to accept this sort of debasement. APNU set out to undercut the AFC in government. APNU believed that the AFC got more than it deserved after the 2015 elections. The
AFC got 40% of Cabinet and parliamentary seats, even though it is believed that it brought a mere 10% of the votes, which the coalition got in those elections. The AFC, however, can still have the last laugh. The loss of the no-confidence vote shows that its 8% support is worth much more than what APNU was willing to recognize, because all it took was one representative of that 8% base to bring down the government.
DEM BOYS SEH
Govt. practising jumbie Mathematics
A bird dat sitting on a tree never frighten de branch break because is not dat it trust de branch but it trust its own wings. De lesson is, ‘Always believe in youself’. Dem didn’t strengthen demself when dem go to parliament. Dem boys seh if dem did strengthen demself, dem woulda been flying high. De govt was not like de bird. De branch break and nobody didn’t ketch; dem fall hard. Dem can’t get up. There is a saying. Don’t judge dem who does drink nuff, cuss down and behave rowdy. Judge dem quiet ones, de sneaky ones. Dem always up to something. Dem had nuff quiet ones in parliament and Charran
seh if was a secret ballot nuff others woulda vote ‘yes’ wid him. Dem boys ask him to call name and all he do is smile. He look like when a man use Viagra and it wuk. Everybody know Viagra is like a zinc roof. If you don’t nail it good, it can end up in de neighba yard. Nuff men had to end up in de neighba yard. Charran end up in Canada. Dem boys seh he had to tek a good dose because de screwing he put pon APNU+AFC dem still can’t recover. De man do wha Jagdeo couldn’t do. He alone put de government out of office. Now he got dem trying to challenge dat 33 not greater than 32. But if he, Charranrass,
did vote fuh dem de 33 woulda been bigger than de 32. Dem become govt wid de 33. All de time, de 33 was bigger than 32. De govt tek nuff decisions fuh three and a half years. Only de odda day dem pass de budget and Charranrass mek de 33. Now de same govt got headmasters, head mistresses and mathematicians playing around wid de figures. Dem boys hear de govt write 33 pon one sheet of paper and 32 pon anodda sheet and put de two pon a scale. It’s Christmas today suh dem boys want to remind all Christians How is Holy Water made? You boil de hell out of it. Merry Christmas.
PAGE 10
Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 25, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Christmas after 30 years as a columnist This year marked thirty years that I have been a newspaper columnist. Each year, I have done an article related to Christmas or had some bearing or relevance to this day. Obviously, the question must be; what more can you write on Christmas? Really, after 30 years, there has to be topic exhaustion. What I will do today is ad-
vance a rebuttal to the position of some observers that the APNU+AFC’s loss of power has dampened the Christmas spirit. Actually, I had planned today’s column to reflect on the finality of Nagamootoo’s political career, which I believe has ended in ignominy and disaster, but I know this is Christmas, so leave caustic com-
mentary for another day. In a forthcoming column, I will reflect on the end of the political longevity of Moses Nagamootoo, the short-lived political career of David Granger and the prospects of Charrandass Persaud’s party in the 2019 poll. The talk is that the Christmas mood has been spoilt. How is that so? There is no
violence, no mayhem, no street chaos. The economy has only been affected by one day. That was December 21, when the clowns blocked off downtown Georgetown as Parliament met for the noconfidence vote. That day and only that day shopping was affected. A jogger came up to me on the seawall Sunday morning and said that the political crisis came at a bad time - the Christmas season. I told him to get on with his life and don’t let Guyana’s ill-shaped political landscape bother him. This has been the nature of politics in this country long before Independence. Where I live, which is next door to CARICOM and the Giftland Mall, I didn’t see a reduction of traffic. It was crazy as usual on the roadway outside the mall. On Sunday night, the line was extremely long. I didn’t use the railway embankment where I live. I took the Atlantic highway. People went about their business the next day after the government fell, then the following day, which was Saturday and then Sunday. I was in three supermarkets Sunday and all were filled with shoppers. This article
had to be in early Monday, so I cannot comment on what the ambience was like on Christmas Eve. I will not deny there was some trepidation by people that was brought about by APNU and the AFC transporting two hundred demonstrators to make noise outside Parliament while the debate was going on. There were photographs of Moses Nagamootoo, David Patterson, Khemraj Ramjattan and Volda Lawrence greeting the demonstrators and assuring them, “don’t worry, ‘cause every little thing is going to be alright” as Bob Marley sang in one of his songs. Simona Broomes was gyrating with the crowds reminding us where she came from. The fear that the Christmas season would be disrupted was engendered by those very politicians greeting those demonstrators, because after stirring them up, then they became deflated. Sections of the population felt that there would be violent marauding in the streets. That did not happen. I doubt it will. There is an election in 90 days’ time and whoever lacerates the Christmas mood today and the coming days will be devastated at the polls. There is another factor at work. Guyanese, unlike the rest of the world’s nationalities, have been burdened by disruptive politics their entire lives. It has so hardened them that the outcome of the noconfidence motion had no effects whatsoever on dampening their approach to the holiday season. For a people saddled with a cruel, primitive
Frederick Kissoon political culture the past eighty years, the no-confidence motion was just another in the never-ending saga of Guyanese politics. This Christmas is just like all the other Christmases I have seen in Guyana – the rich have; the poor need to have. The economy in December 2018 has not been different from the preceding years. I bought toys to share out and all were more expensive than the same types I bought last year. Income for the labouring masses has not significantly improved from last year. From the time President Desmond Hoyte ushered in a development model-styled, New Economic Recovery Programme, Guyana has been living with neoliberal economics. Neoliberal economics is inherently disadvantageous to the working classes. The Democratic Party in the US discovered that too late. Macron in France thought it could work. Now he is hanging on for political life. His situation is so precarious no one knows if he will fall. In Guyana, the neo-liberal government fell. For the last 30 years, I have wished you a delectable holiday season. As usual, I will spend it quietly with my soul mate.
Tuesday December 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
Tuesday December 18, 2018
Kaieteur News
Rape convicts appeal “excessive” sentences An appeal has been filed on behalf of 43-yearold Sean Trotman, the father of three who was convicted and sentence to 45 years’ imprisonment for raping an underage girl. In September 2015, Trotman went on trial for two counts of rape which occurred sometime in January 2013 and March 2014 respectively. The trial was heard by now Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George who sentenced Trotman to 20 and 25 years on each of the counts respectively. This was after a 12-member mixed jury returned a 10-2 guilty verdict in relation to the first count and a unanimous guilty verdict in relation to the second count. The judge ordered that the sentences be served consecutively. In his appeal against the convictions and sentences, Trotman has argued that the sentence imposed by the trial judge is “excessive.” The convict further argues that the trial judge erred in law in admitting prejudicial evidence during the trial, a n d f u r t h e r, t h a t t h e judge’s ruling is against the weight of the evidence. Following the announcement of the verdict, the judge asked Trotman, if he had anything to say. He said, “Yuh worship I don’t know anything about this case.” He then sought to clarify that he does not know anything about the allegation, claiming that he would never do such a thing. Trotman had told the c o u r t t h a t t h e v i c t i m ’s mother had concocted the story and put her up to it. Before passing sentence, Justice George had stressed the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. The Judge then had noted that Trotman abused his position of trust. and that cases like these would leave the victims with many issues to cope with. Also appealing his rape conviction and sentence is
40
53-year-old father of 12, Linton Pompey, who was jailed 37 years. I n S e p t e m b e r, 2 0 1 5 , High Court Judge Jo Ann Barlow imposed the custodial sentence on Pompey after a jury found him guilty of various sexual offences including two counts of rape of a minor and sexual activity with a m i n o r. T h e i n c i d e n t s occurred between May 1 and May 31, 2011, on January 10, 2012 and between June 1 and June 30, 2013. Dissatisfied with the outcome of the matters, Pompey through his Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes filed an appeal asking the Court of Appeal to reverse, set aside and/ or discharge the decision of the High Court. Hughes is contending that trial Judge Barlow failed to sufficiently put his client’s defence to the jury. The lawyer further contends that the trial judge did not adequately direct the jury on how to deal with the i n n u m e r a b l e inconsistencies and discrepancies in the prosecution’s case. Added to that, Hughes is arguing that the trial judge failed to sufficiently direct the jury on the failure o f t h e p r o s e c u t i o n ’s witnesses to produce vital recorded evidence, and what weight to attach to the evidence given by the witnesses. It is the lawyer’s contention that the decision of the jury is unreasonable and cannot be supported having regard to the evidence adduced by the prosecution. The appeal will be heard on January 16, 2019 before Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud. Before handing down sentence on P o m p e y, Justice Barlow had told the convict that in committing the acts, he breached his position of trust. The Judge also noted to Pompey that society expects better from its elders.
Tuesday December 18, 2018
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
I rejected Ramjattan’s... From page 3 he wanted to visit his grandchildren for the Christmas holidays. AFC PUPPET PARTY Persaud, who has since been expelled from the AFC, claims to have initially objected to the AFC joining APNU and forming the coalition Government. He said that these objections also came from Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya, who was a key political figure that campaigned with AFC in Region 6. Despite the objections, Persaud noted, that they both believed that it would not have made a difference because the minds of the executives of the AFC were made up. Almost immediately after government was formed, Persaud said it became obvious that the AFC was a puppet party. “The APNU had total control of what happened in Parliament and the AFC objected to nothing. There was never a discussion with the AFC back benchers on any bill or motion. We were to vote as the Govt. side voted… always,” Persaud pointed out. One of the bills Persaud said that he did not agree with was ‘Prime Minister, Hamilton Green’s Pension Bill. He questioned the fairness of the Bill since Green’s pension would be equivalent to that of recently retired Prime Minister, Sam Hinds, when Green had left that job almost 40 years ago. Persaud reasoned that at that time, Green’s salary could not have been more than $120,000 per month and that was all he was entitled to. Further, Persaud revealed that at the time, he, along with AFC members Audwin Rutherford, Haimraj Rajkumar and Michael Carrington, wrote to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and copied the letter to AFC Leaders Raphael Trotman and Ramjattan. The four AFC backbenchers without portfolio asked that the AFC have a caucus before they entered parliament so that their votes and responses on bills could be synced. “That never happened. We were just numbers,” Persaud noted. When it came to the closure of the sugar estate at Wales, Persaud claimed that they knew of it when it happened, and it was the same for the closure of the Rose Hall Estate
“Sure, we, the backbenchers had no say. But what was the role played by Nagamootoo and Ramjattan and the executives of the AFC? To sit there and just vote for the passing of all Government bills? They never ventured against any Government Bill or Motion,” Persaud stated. KEY ISSUES He claimed to have made one promise to the people during all his addresses at platforms or on TV. “If the government he was working to put in office does not perform to the satisfaction of the people, he will work just as hard to remove that government,” Persaud noted. Persaud noted that reasons for his discontent with the APNU/AFC Government included the whopping 50% increase for MPs; the rent for the Sussex Street Bond for whopping $12.5M per month; the closure of the sugar estates which left thousands of people out of jobs and no alternative was presented to them; the appointment of Noel Holder as Minister of Agriculture when his name was never introduced to the AFC before the results were published. “I looked helplessly at the appointment of several persons who were not ‘fit and proper’ to positions of importance and high paying,” Persaud highlighted. He also took issue with the appointments to public hospitals, the GECOM chairman and the Vice Chancellor of UG to name a few. Most recently, he noted that the public declaration by Lawrence that ‘she is PNC, her friends are PNC and she will give wuk to PNC people’ was a slap in the face of all Guyanese. Persaud also noted that a signing bonus of US$18M was paid to Guyana in early 2016, by ExxonMobil, but that was not disclosed until it was exposed by non-government persons. “Why? Who wanted to hide the people’s money?” Persaud stated. Other matters he cited were the promises to the rice farmers of $9000 per bag of paddy and the non-issuance of gun licences to fishermen. “He issued over 120 guns to Amerindians and Minister Garrido-Lowe told me ‘them boys sleeping with the guns”. Fishermen are dying, families are ripped apart and no gun is issued to them,” Persaud noted.
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PAGE 14
Tuesday December 18, 2018
Kaieteur News
CHRISTMAS MESSAGES MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL PRESIDENT DAVID GRANGER Today is Christmas Day, the day that the Christian community celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. We at Kaieteur News join our Christian brothers and sisters to observe this special day as we extend Merry Christmas to one and all. Also extending Christmas wishes are President David Granger and some other organizations as seen below.
BISHOP FRANCIS ALLEYNE “Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:11). The storyline in many books and films is about a saviour, a super hero, someone who will save the day, and restore order, security, peace and right relations where these have been compromised. In the time of Jesus, and before, the people of Israel expected the coming of a Messiah and some imagined that this Messiah would take on a military or regal or political role to liberate the people from oppression and misery. In Guyana today there is much discussion and debate, at various levels in society, about a petroleum “saviour” that is due to appear in 2020. Many are looking towards this coming to be saved from financial difficulty, limited opportunity, unstable and threatening circumstances, not to mention the underlying hopes that some part of the abundant wealth will come their way. In the discussion on oil revenue, a recommended approach to evaluate its “saving” capac-
ity is to pay attention to the outcome in other countries which experienced a similar windfall. The evidence strongly suggests that revenues managed well through transparent initiatives in service of the people and for the common good worked best for all concerned. We hope that this will be the case for Guyana. But the Saviour born to us is not in the image of the hero in the storyline moving in on behalf of others to save the day. The Saviour born to us is seeking a place in our hearts to defibrillate, to arrest the arrhythmia brought on by the trends and influence of the world and restore the beat of integrity, peace, justice, love, in sync with his own. On the first Sunday of Advent we read from the Prophet Jeremiah: See, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks – when I am going to fulfil the promise I made to the House of Israel and the House of Judah: ‘In those days and at that time, I will make a virtuous Branch grow for David, who shall practise honesty
and integrity in the land. In those days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell in confidence. And this is the name the city will be called: The-Lord-our-integrity.’(Jer 33:14-16) This is the Saviour born to us; not an external agent acting on our behalf but one seeking a place in our hearts so that we can act on his behalf, individually and together, many “virtuous branches” becoming a presence of Integrity, justice, love, peace inserted in the reality of this present world. In the days to come, the real boon and treasure and saving grace that would bring prosperity to Guyana, is a people living their integrity and honesty and dwelling in confidence. My wish to you, beautifully articulated for us in this season of Christmas, is that the integrity, honesty, confidence and the multiple gifts our Saviour born to us gives us may continue to grow in your hearts always.
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PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY Christmas is the season of merriment and a time for compassion and kindness. It is also a time for prayers and goodwill among people. Whatever challenges may confront Guyanese they always find ways and means to share in the spirit of the season. Our Christmas traditions and values are internationally renowned. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend greetings to all Guyanese, especially the
Christian community here and in the Diaspora for a merry Christmas and a successful New Year. As we celebrate, our Party would like to urge reflection so that the pertinent messages and significance of this festive time are not lost. Christmas marks the birth of the saviour Jesus Christ whose exemplary life and teachings provide guidance for the upliftment of humanity. Let us all be inspired by what he stood for to build a more tol-
erant society where hope of a better future becomes the prevailing sentiment and mood. As we celebrate, the PPP also urge that the needy and the less fortunate and the many others who are faced with challenges of various sorts remain in our thoughts and enjoy our usual generosity. As the New Year beckons, new challenges may be forthcoming but if we remain steadfastly hopeful, we as Guyanese will overcome them. Season Greetings to all!
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GPHC CEO, BRIGADIER (RET’D) GEORGE A. LEWIS, The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) joins the nation in celebrating the birth of the Christ Child. As we enjoy the season’s festivities, close to the end of the year, it is an opportune time for us to reflect on our triumphs and challenges during 2018. The year 2018 brought a significant increase in the demands on the nation’s premier healthcare facility. We attended to more patients than we did in the preceding year at our Accident and Emergency Department and our Health Centres at Enmore, Campbellville, Kitty and Industry. We also provided care and support for more pregnant women and delivered more babies at our Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, while concomitantly reducing our maternal and infant mortality rates. We increased service delivery by facilitating more overseas missions, such as OperationWalk which came to Guyana for the first time and
conducted 53 joint replacement surgeries. We originated Operation Hernia in collaboration with the New Amsterdam Hospital during which 75 surgeries were conducted, significantly reducing the backlog of Hernia surgeries. We expanded the pre and post-natal wards of the Maternity Unit, opened a new Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, and commissioned a new building which houses the Oncology Unit and the Institute for Health Sciences Education (IHSE). We installed a 64-slice CT scanner, upgraded the operating theatres and procured new and improved medical equipment in order to offer better service to our patients. The staff of the GPHC epitomises the true spirit of Christmas by embodying the virtues of generosity and service to our patients, communities and the nation. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! May 2019 bring us good health andgreater success.
Fellow Guyanese, Christmas celebrates the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora are observing this sacred event with joy. It is a special season, one that is filled with the spirit of friendship and fellowship. The promise of peace and goodwill on earth is central to the festival of Christmas and to the ministry of Christ. The gospel of St. Luke in the Holy Bible reminds us that, on the eve of Jesus’s birth, angels proclaimed: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” The promotion of peace and the fostering of goodwill
are the eternal messages of Christmas and the essential conditions for achieving social cohesion in this country and everywhere in the world. Guyanese, despite the divisions of the past and the difficulties of the present should accept that differences would sometimes exist, but they need not be hostile or hateful. The lesson of Christmas teaches us the value of peace among peoples and goodwill toward all. We are creating a community of citizens based on mutual respect and aimed at ensuring the common good. Guyanese, Guyana is becoming a gentler, kinder, more
compassionate country. Everyone, regardless of race, religion, political persuasion, social status or place of residence could look forward to sharing the goodwill of this festival and to living in peace with one another. The festival of Christmas could be celebrated most meaningfully by remembering the biblical proclamation of Jesus’s birth. Let us work together to eradicate the capital vices of anger, greed and hatred and to engender peace and goodwill in our families, in our communities and throughout our beloved country. Happy and peaceful Christmas to all Guyanese.
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PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM The miraculous birth of Jesus Christ – celebrated by most Christians on the 25th December – is recorded in the Gospel according to St Luke as heralding an era of “peace on earth and good will toward men.” Jesus’ humble birth took place in a common manger in a tiny town in an obscure country. He was able, nevertheless, with a small band of disciples, to preach a gospel that transformed the world in a most fundamental way and created a remarkable Christian civilization of which we are all heirs. Guyana being a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society is in a unique position to benefit from the teachings of the religions of all of its peoples. Christmas is, therefore, not only for members of the Christian community but for all Guyanese
in a very real sense. There is abundant evidence that the teachings of Christianity and its practices have influenced the lives of all of our people. In other words, this country has seen the benefits of the policy of allowing all religions to flower in Guyana. Christian beliefs go well beyond the religious and have had a notable effect on all aspects of life in Guyana, in terms of the production of Art, Literature, our way of living and our objective of building a harmonious and tolerant society. The Christian spirit of charity continues to inspire Guyanese of all religions. Ordinary people everywhere reach out with compassion and generosity to help their brothers and sisters in distress. We call to mind the plight of the aged, the poor and
other vulnerable citizens. We remember our servicemen and soldiers who will spend this joyous festival separated from their families at sea and on our far-flung frontiers. We recognize the service of our nurses, servicemen, technicians and working people who maintain our utilities, sanitary facilities and security services to ensure that citizens could be safe and that the nation could be secure. The biblical promise of peace on earth and good will toward men, however, remains unfulfilled. Guyanese are urged on the occasion of this sacred festival – through thought, word and work – to make Jesus’ message of mercy and his ministry to the poor and needy the main motifs of their celebration. Happy Christmas to all Guyanese!
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GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION
Christmas, as we know, is associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. His religion – Christianity – has survived many trials in its history and is known for many values humanity has embraced. Among these are peace and empathy for the poor and vulnerable. Today, in the Middle Eastern lands where Jesus Christ was born and where he lived we see continuous conflict and turmoil. Thousands are losing their lives, losing their homes and meagre possessions and forced to contend with dire circumstances. In our Guyana, at the present time, we are witnessing growing intolerance and escalating economic pressures, unemployment and high-handedness stalk many communities. In this season, we see the heartless measure whereby sugar workers remain jobless and clueless about the future. Really, this will be the most challenging Christmas for the Guyanese working-class. The human spirit, however, knows how to overcome adversity. Ways and means must once again be found to deal with our misfortunes. This is the season of hope and we must resolve to never give up. It must be noted that Jesus is regarded as a type of Religious rebel who confronted courageously the Ro-
man rulers on behalf of the oppressed. Hope dwelt amongst them. With the foregoing sentiments uppermost in our thoughts, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins the Christian community in celebration, yet again, in this season of Christmas. We wish the Christian community, indeed all Guyanese, a joyous season. This season now transcends its origins as all Guyanese seem to be caught up in some aspect of the twelve-day celebration whether in church, home or community. Christmas signals the closure of 2018 a year of severe challenges for the masses of Guyanese. It also brings us to the threshold of a New year, which if it is to be a better year requires our united struggles and selfless efforts. The celebration of Christmas 2018 embraced by so many, presents the opportunity for togetherness to prevail over selfishness, political high-handedness and discrimination and set our nation on the path to harmony and strive to ensure that peace and goodwill among men and women prevail. A joyful Christmas and a New Year of Hope from GAWU – to all Guyana!
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday December 25, 2018
Cheryl Patrick Winter – the Black Cake Queen Regardless of where in the world they are, few things escape Guyanese during the Christmas season. Family and food are essentially the centrepieces of the traditional Christmas experience in Guyana – some would say with equal measure. For those who enjoy the food, the celebration is all about the aroma that is lifted from the kitchen, fills the entire home and even the neighbourhood. It is the flavours enriched by the steam rising from the pepperpot or that delicious garlic pork that has been cured over days of preparation. Among the many tasty cuisines, there is one that stands out – black cake. Not everyone can prepare it, but yet, everyone wants a piece. Black cake has found a special place at weddings, birthdays and many special occasions. When the Christmas season rolls around, the demand for this cake skyrockets. For the inexperience black cake
…Sharing the exquisite taste with the world baker, the risks are high and the rewards higher. Why take the risks with such a high demand delicacy, which will be judged again and again during the season? Why put your baking skills on the line for the neighbours and family who will come knocking. There are many options for black cake, but few add the personal touch and attention like Cheryl A. Patrick Winter. With every pan she produces, it is infused with the tradition of black cake making that has covered generations of Guyanese. Cheryl has carved out a niche for tasty black cakes, which have been delivered to homes across the world. Cheryl hails from New Amsterdam, Berbice and spent her formative years in Georgetown and Blygezight Gardens until 1980 when her dad was contracted by the United Nations to work in
the British Virgin Islands (BVI). “Christmas in Guyana was very active and enjoyable. Precious time was s p e n t w i t h f a m i l y, neighbours, friends and coworkers. It was not only about attending church, but also enjoying the numerous dishes, desserts, local drinks and more,” said Cheryl who attended Carmel RC School, St. Winifred RC School, St. Joseph’s and St Rose’s High School. After relocating to the BVI, she struggled to adjust to the culture there, even the Christmas experience was different. “In Guyana, we celebrate right through to twelfth night - Food! Food…from pepper pot, garlic pork, ham, turkey you name it, we had it,” Cheryl noted. Her baking journey started quite modestly, assisting two aunts who were baking specialist in Guyana and who now reside abroad. Her first black
Cakes with the golden seal baked and prepared by Cheryl A. Patrick Winter.
Cheryl A. Patrick Winter (right) delivers black cake to a satisfied customer on Tortola. cake was made for a friend’s wedding. Thereafter, her story started as many requests came rolling in soon after. She continued to improve on her mixture and technique. Today, her cakes travel all over the world. “I’m very proud of and feel blessed that my work and presentation is appreciated by, if not all, most,” Cheryl stated. But why black cake though? Cheryl loves making plain cakes but found she could never go wrong with a black cake recipe – it’s in her Guyanese blood. “Yes, it takes more preparation time, but I enjoy making them then wrapping them in my trademark gold seal,” Cheryl stated. Working from her home on the Tortola, the main island in the BVI, Cherly has
managed to bake as much as 500 varying sizes of small, medium, large and extralarge cakes during the season. Every year, the demand increases. Her cakes are enjoyed by the melting pot of nationalities in the BVI. With every bite into the moist delicacy, the word spreads to various parts of the world – ‘Cheryl’s black cake is the one of the best’. Like any food master, Cheryl’s recipe is top secret. However, she has mastered her production time quantity and balancing the many types of liquor at her disposal. According to Cheryl, the type of baking currently adopted is making the world of difference. “I started off with the real baking p a n s ,
which had to be greased then lined with wax paper, then I used a domed shaped glass container now the disposable foil pans which is easier and thrown after I’ve completed baking batches of cakes,” Cheryl noted. With support from her husband, Michael L Winter Sr. and sons - Michael L. Winter Jr. and Mark Winter, Cheryl has plans to continue to grow in order to meet the high demand for her product. “Initially, black cakes were only prepared at Christmas, but requests come through year-round so why not! Whatever makes people happy, I’m willing to fulfill their requests,” Cheryl noted.
Tuesday December 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
What Santa bring fuh some of dem boys and girls
S
anta and Mrs. Claus started travelling from de North Pole since October. De two had to circumvent Saudi Arabia, because they got plenty embassies over there and anything can happen. They hop on a LIAT plane and stay overnight in Trinidad as Caribbean Airline had cancelled flights because of fog in Guyana and Fly Jamaica was just not happening. Whole year, Santa say, he got plenty things to worry about. This year, he ain’t g i v i n g D o n a l d Tr u m p nothing as he had been a bad boy. Donald from de US, like the other Donald in Guyana, like writing. One like tweet pun he phone. He sit down in he toilet and in de Oval Office, in Washington, when he suppose to be doing de people wuk and send out
66,246 tweets in 340 days. That is about 195 tweets a day. Seriously Donald? The other Donald, in Guyana, he like send plenty letter to the paper. He never see what use to go on in he government but he seeing plenty things now while he rocking in he hammock. Santa tell dem boys that he select some people in Guyana and after long and hard thought and
advice from Mrs. Claus, he gon give Donald in Guyana and some other people who mek de news some gifts. The fuss one pun he list was Uncle Adam Harris, Editor-in-Chief of Kaieteur News. Santa like Adam. Adam tun 70 years de other day. He had a big party and invite Uncle Glenn, he best friend and de Gildarie boy and plenty family, some of dem who Adam even can’t remember. Santa says because 70 come after 69, he bring a dental floss for Uncle Adam. Santa say read between the lines, bai. Then he tek out another gift from he bag. Is a dolly! He say that now Uncle Adam turn 70, and is in another league, Uncle Glenn de Publisher need a new friend. Adam was he spar, de two like knock glass. That over now... Dem boys seh Santa is a real considerate man. Now dem reporters wondering when and what time Uncle Glenn coming to wuk after Christmas Day when he get he gift. O f course,deCharrandassboy tek de cake. He get a poker table. Santa seh Charrandass sit down in Parliament and not even he friends dem know what he was thinking. He got to be the best poker player in de country. Santa push he hand again in de bag and tek out something wha dem boys can’t see or touch. “Aha,” he says, “this is a special one for my boy BarRat.” Well you know BarRat nah get nothing much fuh do. He can’t run fuh president again and he watching Irfaat and he watching Anil. He watching Frank de doctor, and he watching Gail and dem wondering which one of dem he will chose for de presidential candidate. He nah even looking at de young Ramson
boy. Santa say is a life he bring fuh Bar-Rat. Santa explain that Bar-Rat need to get a life and left de PeePeePee to do dem thing.
He is not president no more and he will never be. A Rabbit Tail De next pun de list is de Attorney General Basil Williams. Santa smile. He put on he glove and tek it out from de bag and show dem boys. Is a rabbit tail. Santa is a good man. He like to see people do well. He want Basil de AG to win some cases. He hope de rabbit tail gun help improve he track record for de country. Santa got a good memory. He say he can’t remember Basil and forget Anil, de former AG. De two of them like arch enemies. He tek out five hand and five mouth from he bag of goodies. He say that he want Anil to do well. Anil, he say, like put he hand and mouth in everything. Santa say five more hand and five more mouth gun help Anil and Guyana. Santa start laughing when he push he hands in the bag again. He tek out an angry parrot who eyes red. De parrot look like he was drinking whole night. De parrot start cussing. This one is for de lawyer m a n , Ry a n ‘ F … i n g ’ Crawford. Santa like Ryan too. He, Ryan, cuss a traffic policeman 72 times in 59
seconds. Everybody like Ryan after then. He had a whole cricket team of lawyers to represent him when he get charge. De parrot will help Ryan de lawyer counsel heself by teaching de parrot wha he know. Typewriter For Donald Uncle Donald, the former President get a typewriter and some ropes. Santa look worried. He say he like Uncle Donald. The rope is to make the hammock stronger and de typewriter is for he to write more letter. He want Uncle Donald to be comfortable and safe in he hammock. Santa bring a recliner chair for Uncle Joe. As de Minister of State, Uncle Joe does meet a lot a people, and he and everybody is friends. He does listen. And he does smile like a diplomat. Santa tek out a soup bowl next from he bag. He say this is for de Indar, de Chamber
boy. He like soup, Santa say. He also like to hang around where de soup deh. De bowl is for he to walk with. The next man pun de list is Uncle Raphael. De Minister of Natural Resources has been missing for a long while. Dem boys can’t see him. Santa can’t see him. Santa say he baby keeping he up late at night. Santa bring a GPS tracker for Uncle Raphael. The GPS tracker is for dem boys to know if he still deh around and wheh he deh. Santa also bring a water pitcher for de Finance man, Winston Jordan. Santa say he sit down four hours and listen to the budget speech wha Jordan give, and he get tired of listening. He say that de minister must get thirsty steady. The water pitcher will come in handy. Santa also pull out a big Afro comb next. He bring dis for de boy Mikhail ‘Guyanese Critic’
Rodrigues. Critic don’t like comb he hair yet he want deh pun internet TV and Santa is old school. Santa like to comb even he own beard. Fuh de Public Infrastructure man, Patterson, Santa say he order a Chinese/English dictionary. That is because de ministry dealing with a lot of Chinese and it would help de minister to talk to dem better. Santa then push he hands in he pocket and tek out two cheques. He say one is for Khemraj ‘Uncle Praks’ Ramjattan. A Truck For Khemraj Santa wants Praks to buy a container truck. The truck is fuh use fuh de mobile prison cell that de minister want to set up at de Camp Street jail. Santa seh Praks will drive de truck heself and showcase all de boys in jail, even Bar-Rat and Irfaat when dem get sentence. Of course, Santa is a very careful man cause Mrs Claus is a serious woman . You can’t bad talk other woman when you deh round she. But Santa has a gift for N i c o l e t t e H e n r y, d e Education Lady. Santa giving she a cheque too. She gon buy shelves for all dem text books worth millions which she does store on the ground at the book bonds. Santa say he want Nicolette to do well and learn, that the money wuh spend on the books ain’t she own. Santa tek a deep breath and tek out three more gifts. This is de last three, he said. One is for former Mayor Patricia Chase-Green. According to Santa, one parcel has two shovels- one for digging a hole fuh she colleagues and de other fuh digging a hole fuh she self. According to Santa, you can’t sell out nobody if dem same ones know yuh bedroom stories. But while Patricia who get chase from de mayorship get two shovel, Santa had a small package for Royston, de Town Clown. A tape for Royston
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He get measuring tape. Santa say that he gun get punish for doing some stupid things and allowing some stupid things to happen at City Hall. He gun use the measuring tape for surveying lands as that might be he next job. According to Santa, Royston like measure lands wha dey in de city, especially ones that ain’t belong to he. When he done that, he gun be allowed to take the measuring tape into Praks mobile jail cell and measure too. Santa then tek out a big towel, with red, yellow and green. He bring this for Priya. Santa believe that the MP is an emotional woman and when she talk everybody does cry. The towel is for she to share around. The last gift Santa tek out is for President David Granger. Santa like David. Santa say he nah know he to be a corrupt man. Wuh Santa know is that the President needs some more help to
choose some of his important people. Santa bring him a game of Monopoly. According to Santa, David play too much Snakes and Ladders when he choosing people. Some of them does get swallow by dem big snakes. Since he is a Soulja Bai he need something more like M o n o p o l y, w h i c h g o t Chances and Go Directly To Jail spots. Santa and Mrs. Claus wish David better health for next year and want to wish all dem boys and girls who na get gifts to be on the lookout for next year.
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday December 25, 2018
The light in a child’s eyes is all it takes to make Christmas the most magical time of year At Christmas, kids make countless fun requests to Santa, hoping that the jolly old fella would drop by bearing gifts and goodies Here‘s a look at what some kids want this Christmas.
La Jada Mc Kinnon, 8, Georgetown Guyana Dear Santa, I wish to have Apple Tablet so that I play games and watch YouTube videos
Tyreese Mc Lean, 7, Barbados Dear Santa, I would like a paw patrol set because it reminds me of my favourite TV show.
Theomie Wong, 4 Dear Santa, I would like a new computer, a kitten and a ball because kittens are playful and fun.
Rayel Cummings, Kailee Murphy, 9, 2 years old; This pretty Kaylee Mc Phoy, 7 Dear St Nick, It would littleprincess loves puppies Dear Santa, I would like a beawesome, to have a nice and makes it her duty to stop remote control helicopter pair of roller blades so I and play with every pup she I can fly around and I also can skate with my friends. sees on the roadway.So want snow because I want A Baby Alive Doll for she is hoping that Santa would build my very own snow man. Christmas would also be nice. bring her own pup this year.
Olaniyi Kadija David, 9, Dear Santa,All I want for Christmas is an iPhone, an America’s girl dollhouse and a baby sister!
Kerelle Murphy, 11, I am hoping that Santa brings me the entire book series of Jevon Waldron, 9, “The Dairy of a Wimpy Kids” Dear Santa And because My only wish is to have I love to read so much a smart tablet at Christmas. I would also like a Mac book.
Ravindra Nankishore; age two,This little smarty pants is hoping that Santa Leah Chand, age five, brings him, his own car Dear Santa, I been hoping and mobile phone and praying that I get for Christmas. Princess Dollhouse for Xmas
Mya Juan, 4 says she hopes Santa will bring her a new dress and a baby doll for Xmas
Three DIY Holiday ornaments any child can make By Trishan Craig During the holidays, it can be a bit difficult to keep the children occupied. Decorating the house is something a few find exciting while some only view it as hard work. This Christmas season however, you can pull the children in on helping to decorate the house with these simple Do It Yourself (DIY) Christmas ornaments. Simply follow the instructions below and enjoy. 1) Melted Snowman Ornament. · What you will need: 1 plastic ball ornament · Some table salt · Fine white glitter · A funnel · A strip of red and orange felt · Two cloves
· Two small circular black felt Instructions: The fun and clever thing about this ornament is that there isn’t any direct way to create it. Just mix the salt and glitter and fill the plastic ball with it. Then add the remaining accessories for your snowman and hooray you have a melted snowman. 2) Glittering popsicle stick Christmas trees What you will need: Coloured Popsicle sticks · Foam · Rhinestones stickers · Twine · Glue gun · Craft knife or scissors Instructions: Cut the Popsicle sticks into five different sizes 1", 1.5", 2", 2.5" and 3" lengths. Using a scrap piece of
popsicle stick about ½” long, add some hot glue and sandwich a small piece of
twine between a full length stick and the scrap for a trunk. Glue the pieces of Popsicle sticks to the full length stick and add the rhinestones stickers to it. Use the foam to make a star and place it to the top of your Christmas tree. 3)Giant lollipops What you will need: Grill sticks · Paper plates · Plastic
· Paint · Red ribbon · Glue gun
Instructions: Using the hot glue, paste a grill stick to the inside of a plate. Paint the back of the plate with patters of your choice. When the
paint is dry, cover it with the plastic and tie it with a piece of ribbon.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 25, 2018
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Where are the true Masquerade bands? Their bright colours, improvised musical theatrics and mesmeric characters ushered in the Christmas season. There was a time when masquerade bands would practice for weeks before taking to the streets. The bands poured onto city streets from many communities across Guyana dressed as ‘Mother Sally’, ‘Mad Bull’, ‘Long Lady’, who were essentially men skillfully balancing on stilts, dressed as women flouncing in masks and wigs. Performers were backed by musicians who substituted their own lyrics in some of the popular Christmas songs. Drums, flutes and other instruments provided much rhythm. It was a sight to behold for many. The dancers performed for money which
was placed on the ground by spectators. Witnessing how smoothly the dancers gyrated to uplift the money was a spectacle in itself. Illustrator and graphic artist, Barrington Braithwaite has chronicled some of these bands. Some of his fond recollections and more serious insights into the masquerade came while living with his godparents at Mahaica. He recalls legends such as Goblet Joe, Freddie Bandula, Putagee Tonus of the Centipede [Santapee] Band. George Street, he said, was actually dubbed ‘Centipede Street’. The Centipede band was very dominant in then old Charles Town area. He shared that as far back as the 20s and 30s the bands were territorial. Any masquerade outfit that dared to venture in their area was met with physical blows and weapons like barber razors and fish hooks tied on staves. “Basically, it was just poor people who under the circumstances could not
Illustrator and graphic artist, Barrington Braithwaite acquire employment because contrary to what people say, Guyana was never a country of great wealth,” Braithwaite stated. Bands were very popular in Berbice as well. In Kitty, there was an entire family who kept the tradition alive for years. The cultural enthusiast pointed out that while the bands traditionally started as an African tradition postslavery; it quickly grew to include other races. Braithwaite said the bands could be traced back to the African harvest festival. For instance, he noted that, many believe that
the tall lady represented ‘a white woman’, but in fact is a depiction of the ‘Wata Mamma’ However, he noted that the masquerade band of 2018 lacks the orientation of what it used to be, whether those yesteryear folk did not have the full complement of the costumes or not, they captured a rhythmic expression that was exclusive to their cultural domain. The bands today don’t have singers, flutists and many of the colourful characters have disappeared. Braithwaite said one of the popular songs from the band included a line, “Christmas time is here again and every man must have his share, but poor brother Willy in de jail will drink only sour ginger beer, music!” A c c o r d i n g t o Braithwaite, the decline started around 1991-1992. Over the years, because no attention was paid to the art form, it continued to deteriorate. He explained
A modern day group of young masqueraders in Georgetown.
that back in the day, the Department of Culture had directors who were thrown aside in the new political dispensation. “These bands were left on their own. The assistance given and the dialogue went away. It was abandoned. There was no buy in within the Department of culture who understood what needed to be done. What we are left with today is a vague memory of the masquerade culture with
bands now driven by economics,” Braithwaite stated. There are no real dancers, but boys dressed in elf-like clothing hardly willing to dance. The musicians no longer incorporate poetry into the songs which was a big deal in those days. “We have got to go back to cultural beginnings. We still have a few masquerade performers still alive today. It can be salvaged,” Braithwaite stated.
Public Christmas Trees You Must See!!! By Feona
It is not the holidays without the lighting up of various Christmas trees around Georgetown. Public Christmas trees light ups have become embedded in how Christmas is celebrated in this South American State. Our eyes
are instantly focused on the tall decorated Christmas tree flaunting beautiful stars, bright lights and ornaments. It keeping with the season goodwill, love and peace, it has become a custom each year for towering Christmas trees to grow up around the capital city.
They are all unique in their own way and will add light to your life. This article highlights some beautiful Christmas trees around the capital city Don’t be a Grinch! Go and see these Christmas trees if you have not already. They will definitely put you in the holiday spirit.
The Brickdam Police Station in all Lights
These Christmas trees stand tall and bright This is a scene from the Courts Christmas tree light up this year. It is not anywhere near the majestic Rockefeller Christmas tree light up but will sure bring hope to those feeling down and out.The Courts choir made up of member of staff would entertain the crowd along with various local artistes. Any one feeling depressed
Police ‘A’ Division Headquarters is all glittery. This artificial Christmas tree is decorated with colourful lights and embellishment. At nights the tree is completely lit brightening up the entrance to the compound, celebrating Christmas in a colourful way. It you’re passing by, do remember to stop and admire its beauty. Take a photograph also!
Tallest in the Country This beautiful Christmas tree is perhaps the tallest in the country. It illuminates Rahaman’s Park, East Bank Demerara. It is also an attraction to persons traversing the East Bank of Demerara, especially at nights. The Rahaman’s Park Christmas tree light up has been going on for decades. Kudos to the creators of this amazing tree!
should take a look at this superb creation and let their imagination roam wild. (Continued on page 33)
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday DecemberPAGE 25, 2018 13
Traditional Guyanese delicacies during the Christmas season
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hristmas has always been the season of giving. It is a time to feel joyful and to spend as much time as possible with family and friends. In Guyana, we have added a little more to it. For any Guyanese, it simply does not feel like Christmas without a steaming pan of pepperpot or garlic pork. It definitely doesn’t feel the same without a slice of rich black cake and cold glasses of ginger
beer and sorrel drink to wash it down. What makes it even better? Ask any Guyanese and he or she would tell you that no shop or no store can provide you with the original flavours that you get when your Christmas dishes are homemade. Below are some recipes to help you give your Christmas the true Guyanese feel. Starting off with the most sought after of the season, PEPPERPOT. You will need: · Beef cuts, although some persons opt for chicken, duck, mutton or wild meat · 3 cow heels (not always necessary) · 3-4 chunks of oxtail (again, not
Now for the best part, everybody’s favourite, GUYANA BLACK CAKE! · You will need the following: · 1 lb raisins · 1 lb preserved carambola · ½ lb currants · 1 cup brown rum · 2 lbs brown sugar · 1 lb butter · 12 eggs, beaten · 1 lb flour · 1 tsp baking powder · 1 teaspoon mixed spices · ¼ pound mixed peel · ¼ pound chopped nuts · 1 tsp vanilla flavouring Once you have all of this, you’re ready: · Wash and dry fruits. Grind and soak with ¾ cup of rum. Store while covered in a glass jar to cure for 2 weeks or longer. · To make the caramel: Heat 1 pound of the sugar in heavy bottom frying pan until melted. Simmer until dark brown. · Cream the butter and 1 lb sugar together, after which you add the beaten eggs gradually. · Continue mixing and add soaked fruits and rum and enough caramel to make it GINGER BEER You will require: · 1 lb. of ginger · 10 cups of water · 2 cups of dark brown sugar · 2 cinnamon sticks · 6 cloves · 5 3x3-inch pieces of orange peel · 1 4-inch piece of orange peel · Uncooked rice to help with fermentation · Glass jars What next: – Grate the ginger with the fine side of any box grater. – In a large pot, mix together all of the ingredients, except for the cinnamon and the (3×3) pieces of orange peel. – Rapidly boil for 10 minutes. – Remove from heat and strain. – Using a cheese cloth, remove the ginger bits. – Pour into a large glass
always necessary) · 8 fl. oz. cassareep · 5 wiri-wiri pepper (more or less, depending on how spicy you want it) · 5 cloves · 1 ½ chopped onion
· 3 cloves of garlic · salt · 1 cup of Demerera Gold brown sugar · Mixed thyme (fine leaf, broad leaf) Preparation is simple, just follow
the steps below: · Thoroughly wash the meat and other meat products (cow heel, oxtail, etc.) · Put the cow heel in a pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil (If you do not want to use this, move on to the next step) · Add all your meats into the pot of boiling water, along with the mixed thyme, onion and garlic. Cover and allow to boil. · Once the fragrance of the thyme fills the air and the meat is cooked a little, add all of the other ingredients and slow cook for about 2 hours or until the meat is tender or the sauce is thick. When finished, allow to cool and serve with home-made white bread or cassava bread.
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as dark as you want it. · Add sifted flour with baking powder, mixed spice and vanilla flavouring. Mix thoroughly. · Fold in peel and chopped nuts. · Pour mixture in baking pan. Bake in slow oven at 375oF for about 1 ½ hours, or until toothpick inserted to test comes out clean. · Soak the finished cake with more rum and allow to preserve. Enjoy with ginger beer. The recipe for which is as follows.
jug. – Break orange peel and cinnamon sticks into pieces; add them to the ginger beer, and bring to room temperature – Place 12 uncooked rice grains in each glass jar; pour into glass jars and let rest.
– Ferment for 5-7 days. – Discard cinnamon sticks and orange peel. – Serve over crushed ice or ice cubes. If the heat is too much for you, you can mix it with pineapple juice for hint of fruitiness and sweetness.
ext on our list is G A R L I C P O R K . However, if pork is not your fancy, you may also use beef, lamb or chicken. You will need: · 3 pounds of pork or your meat of choice, 1 inch thick, tender cuts · 12 large cloves of garlic · ½ cup of fresh thyme leaves or 2 tbsp of dried thyme · 8-10 wiri-wiri pepper · 1 ½ tbsp. salt · ½ tsp black pepper · 2 cups of white vinegar · 2 cups of boiled water, must be at room temperature at the time of use · 3-4 whole cloves · 3 unpeeled cloves of garlic · 4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme · 3 tbsp. canola/soya oil Once you have all of that, you’re ready. Just follow the steps below: · Ensure that the meat is clean by wiping with a damp cloth or paper towel. · Using a sharp knife, cut small grooves into the meat on both sides. · Chop and puree the garlic, thyme, and wiri-wiri peppers in a blender/food processor, then pour this would-be seasoning rub into a small bowl. · Using a butter knife or your fingers, spread a large
amount on the meat, rubbing it in to fill the small grooves. · Apply salt and pepper to both sides, ensuring that you keep ½ tsp salt. · If you have any leftover seasoning, use it up and rub it onto the meat slices. · Using a widemouthed glass jar, layering pieces of the seasoned meat, stacking until all meat has been used up. · Mix the vinegar and water together, then carefully pour into the jar of meat until it is covered by two inches. · Shake the jar to distribute meat, then place thyme stems and cloves in the jar. Add three cloves of unpeeled garlic, as part of the garnish. · Place additional sprigs of thyme on top of jar, or slide it down the
sides. · Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, and seal the jar tightly. · Store in a cool dark place (not your refrigerator), and let it sit for 3-5 days. · After curing, drain the meat on a rack, and discard the liquid. Do not allow the seasoning to go to waste. · In a skillet, pour 3 tbsp. Canola oil. · Pan-fry on medium heat, until nicely browned for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Now that you’re done, just let it cool and serve with crusty bread and any cold beverage of your choice.
Tuesday December 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 33
The joy of celebrating the festive season with loved ones
By Feona Morrison Once again, my absolute favourite time of the year is here. It’s Christmas! That time for sharing, good will and reflecting on the completion of a splendid year, while making resolutions for the new one. To be honest, I love everything about the festive season—the cooking, decorating, cleaning, shopping and gift giving. But most of all, I value spending time with my family and close friends. I always spend Christmas with my family. My “circle” comprises of mommy, daddy, and my three adorable, yet disgusting siblings. We spend Christmas day preparing a big Christmas lunch and dinner, playing carols and sending out season’s greetings. On Christmas morning, we would all gather around the dining table to relish a good old Guyanese pepperpot with bread and a glass of fruit juice. After this, my little sister and I would prepare a Christmas lunch for the family. As per our family tradition, we would bake a whole chicken and cook raisin/fried rice. We would also prepare macaroni and potato salads. This always
appeals to my sibling’s appetite and I top it off with a cup of chilled home-made ginger beer. Apart from the lavish cooking, my other siblings spend the day opening presents that “Santa Claus”
. It’s always ice-cream and jell-o, fruit cake, brownies, cookies and all sorts of things to tickle the taste buds. After eating up these delights, we would all sit and watch Christmas movies one after the other.
Christmas shopping, oh my! This is so much fun but it can be frustrating at times when you have to manoeuvre through those large crowds in the city. I must confess that I’m a victim of last minute
brought for them, which were placed under the Christmas tree (laughs). Ironically, my siblings ages 16, 18 and 20 and are fully aware that Santa does not exist. But they would still talk about North Pole’s most famous resident as if he were real. Christmas evening is relatively quiet at home. It is the time when the living room is transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours. Mommy would usually take off the fluorescent tube and switch on the colourful, fairy lights I serve dinner around 6pm. This is followed by dessert
My family always gets caught up in the last minute cleaning and shopping. Believe it or not, we began cleaning the home the very last week before Christmas. It’s shameful to say, but we are guilty of cleaning and decorating on the ‘big day’. For my brothers and sister, decorating the home brings them joy. I don’t know why—but I think it is a lot of work. These kids are always eager to put up the garlands with those little red bows, fix the furniture or arrange the window curtains. I am not a big fan of this. I will stick to cooking and serving my mouth watering recipes.
shopping. I normally buy the vinyl, flowers, toiletries and other household items in the Christmas week. Christmas Eve night, I get out of the
house in search of my goodies. Danish cookies, grapes, apples, walnuts and confectioneries—I hunt them down like a thirsty lion. These are a must have! I don’t go home until I get them and I mean all of them. When it comes to shopping, I easily get carried away with spending all my money on brand names colognes, watches and wallets. These are gifts I buy for my very close relatives and friends. My friends, they surprise me too. They know that I’m obsessed with that Victoria’s Secret store in the Court Yard Mall. They are times when I go home broke and would have to depend on the little ‘foreign cash’ I manage to solicit from relatives overseas. Strangely, the thought of spending too much money never comes to mind. The delightful smiles on the faces of my lovedones is all that matters to me.
It brings me much joy to see them happy. The days leading up to New Years are always filled with laughter and sometime arguments. This is normal in every home right? Outside of that, I would attend a party or two with my girls. I like getting dressed up to go for a glass of wine or high quality liquor. Not forgetting some seductive tunes to set the mood. We are planning on ringing in 2019 in Church. I am really looking forward to this because I cannot remember what it’s like c e l e b r a t i n g i n G o d ’s sanctuary. It has been about five years since I have attended an Old Year’s night service. I feel very fortunate to have my friends and family throughout the year, but especially around this time. I get to show these people how much I love them and how grateful I am for having them in my life. Cherish the wonderful memories of this festive season. It’s a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, hope and love. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from my family to yours!
Bank of Guyana is a spectacle you can’t miss From page 31 Guyana’s Central Bank Christmas tree is remarkable in its own sense. The tree stands brightly over us sending the message clear that its Christmas time. The Christmas tree stands tall on a reflective red-
light back ground. You will definitely not be able to take your eyes of this beauty which will surely leave a mesmerizing effect. Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year!
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 25, 2018
Tuesday December 18, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 35
Jagdeo rules out Ramson - “I would not vote any newbie to be presidential candidate” By Abena RockcliffeCampbell Leader of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C), Bharrat Jagdeo is not in favour of Charles Ramson being the party’s presidential candidate in the upcoming elections. He said that he will not vote for any “newbie” as presidential candidate. The PPP/C has long been putting off choosing its presidential candidate. The last timeline given by Jagdeo was “before the end of the year.” That was even before Guyanese knew they were going to be heading to the polls within three months. But now, with elections just around the corner, Jagdeo is saying that the end-of-year timeline might not be met. He said this at a press conference he hosted yesterday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. There, Jagdeo indicated that the PPP is gearing for elections, but will put off the campaign until “after the season.” He said that the party’s leaders in the Executive Committee will be meeting on Thursday to discuss the way forward, which will include the method of choosing its presidential candidate. Unofficially, names of persons interested in the candidacy are former Ministers Frank Anthony, Irfaan Ali, Anil Nandlall and Gail Teixeira. Former Member of Parliament, Charles Ramson Jr. is the only one who has publicly declared interest in being the presidential candidate. It has long been hinted that Jagdeo is not in favour of Ramson’s candidacy. But yesterday is the first time Jagdeo was so blatant in his remarks. At one point he even referred to Ramson as a “weak candidate.” Further, he said, “If you have newbies, then it’s much harder if you don’t have some Cabinet experience. I benefitted enormously by being a member of the Cabinet for a while, so I had experience as to what the issues were being debated; so we have a great pool of people who have had this experience and are still young,” he said.
Ramson is the only one in the lineup that has never been in Cabinet. The Presidential Candidate of the PPP is elected by the Central Committee consisting of 35 members. Nominations are made, and then each member of the committee votes based on his or her personal preference. This newspaper understands that while there are a few of the 35 who are in favour of Ramson as a candidate because he is “without baggage,” Jagdeo is the most powerful force in the party and the majority are likely to support his choice. The CCJ ruling on the two-term presidency is the only thing stopping Jagdeo from running as presidential candidate. Many, including party members, believe that since Jagdeo cannot be President, he prefers someone who will be his “puppet.” Jagdeo addressed this concern at his presser yesterday. He said, “Anyone we choose they will call my puppet. They used to call me Janet’s puppet. So that is okay. Jagdeo also made it clear that he is going to be a part of government. In June last, Ramson declared his interest in running for president. He was quoted as saying that Guyana needs high-quality leadership. “This means leadership that exudes integrity, passion and vision. This would also mean leadership that is technically sound across many key disciplines like oil, economics, business and law…and, leadership which understands the meaning of family and having families of their own.” Ramson noted that he has familiarized himself with all arms of the State. Being a lawyer for the last 10 years, he understands the judicial system. As a former Member of Parliament, he understands the legislative arm. He boasted of working at Office of the President during the reign of former President, Donald Ramotar, and insists he has a fair understanding of the executive.
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo
Attorney at Law, Charles Ramson
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 18, 2018
AAG starts season with MS Dhoni returns to India’s T20I squad for New Zealand tour Cross Country event The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) began its calendar of activities on Sunday last with a Cross Country event along the inner track of the National Park. The event saw a total six clubs participating, namely: 1. C h r i s t i a n b u r g / Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) 2. De Challengers Athletic Club (DCAC) 3. Running Brave Athletic Club (RBAC) 4. Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) 5. New Amsterdam United (NWU) 6. Super Upcoming Runners (SUR) It was deemed as a successful event which saw
many athletes participating in the various categories which were youth, junior and senior with a special event that was held for athletes 12-14 yearsold and sprinters. The top three (3) winners in each category are as follows:Youth Boys (3 km) 1. Murphy Nash CWSS 2. Cordel Charles -SUR 3. Calvin Williams-NAU Youth Girls (3 km) 1.Sheama Tyrell -CWSS 2. Aaiyliah Headley-DCAC 3. Tia Azore -CWSS Sprinters (4 km) 1. Shemar Alleyne-SUR 2. Emanuel Paul - SUR Junior Boys (6 km) 1. Daniel Harvey - RBAC
2. Daniel Mc Carter - RBAC 3. Murphy Bagot - NAU Senior Men (8 km) 1.Anfernee Headecker - PPYC 2.Royston Fordyce- PPYC 3.Francis King - SUR 12-14 years Girls (2 km) 1.Adriel Austin - RBAC 2.Atoya Harvey - RBAC 3.Charissa December - DCAC 12-14 years Boys (2 km) 1.Jonathan Seedath - DCAC 2.Seon Booker - DCAC 3. Trimmel Bishop RBAC The next Cross Country is scheduled for this Sunday at the Bayrock Community Centre Ground Linden and in Esplanade Ground New Amsterdam Berbice both commencing at 15:00 hours.
Tuesday December 25, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Connect with the person sitting next to you on the bus, Aries, or the one behind you in line at the store. He or she may have a piece of wisdom to share that will change your life forever. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Your self-esteem may be challenged by a fast-paced talker or unpleasant situation. Don't accept things as they appear at first glance.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today is one of those days in which prosperity is much closer than you think, Libra. You will find what you seek, but it's up to you to take the first step to going after it. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Indecision may leave you helpless at a crossroads today. Others around you could be just as undecided regarding their direction.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Jump on board the fast train and see how far it takes you, Gemini. You will be surprised how far you can go with minimal effort.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Latch on to the expansiveness that comes when you connect with others in the social arena, Sagittarius. Communication is a key part of the day.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Flexibility is important today, Cancer. Take the relaxed, laid-back approach. Trying to ram your ideas through isn't the best tactic. Having tunnel vision will restrict you in many ways.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Connect with the stable, grounding energy of the day, Capricorn, but beware that tension may come in the form of fast talk and misguided information. People might be fickle and frantic.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Things coming at you from all sides are forcing you to make a move, Leo. Try not to feel pressured into something you don't want to do. A nervous restlessness is apt to take over your being and urge you to act.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The expansive feeling you might be experiencing is apt to be squelched today as you get the feeling that you've lost touch with reality. Make sure you connect with real life, and do a bit of planning to balance your whimsical nature.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Lock into the practical, grounding force that is not only realistic but also flexible. Attend to details and organize yourself, Virgo. Be aware that you may need to alter your course in order to fit with the group energy.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Walk to the beat of your own drum, Pisces. If you try to latch on to the glib, fastpaced information of the day, you might lose your voice in the crowd.
ESPNcricinfo -MS Dhoni is back in India’s T20I squad. He hadn’t found a place in India’s two most recent T20I squads, against West Indies at home and in Australia, but he has returned as one of three wicketkeeperbatsmen for the three-match T20I series in New Zealand in early February. In more spinning of the wicketkeeping carousel, Dinesh Karthik is back in the ODI squads for Australia and New Zealand, replacing Rishabh Pant. Pant played three of the five ODIs against West Indies, as a specialist batsman, and scored 17
Block buster... From page 35 105th minute to seal the win and their place in the quarter finals where again they will play the final match of the round of eight against Victoria Kings tomorrow night at the same venue. But all the final eight action will start to unfold from tonight at the Golden Grove Ground and then over on the West Side tomorrow evening. The respective winners will advance to the semifinals which would be contested on Friday at Leonora. The grand finale will be on New Year’s night, January 1st 2019 at the GFC Ground.
Bakewell supports... From page 39 “Shanghai” Major, tournament organizer representative. The four-day festival will kick off with six matches that will be played between the hours of 18:00hrs and 00:00hrs with each match being played on the hour culminating with the final match at 23:00hrs. The teams, which include Morvant Caledonia United from Trinidad and Tobago, ZV All-Stars from Suriname, and a São Paulo selection from Brazil, will be placed in two groups. The locally participating teams are a national selection, an East Coast AllStars, Linden All-Stars, Georgetown All-Stars and West Demerara All-Stars. The winning team will pocket $1.2 million, while the losing finalist will receive half that amount. Third and fourthplaced finishers will pocket $300,000 and $100,000 respectively. Admission to the event will be $1,000.
and 24. Pant is currently playing the Test series in Australia. According to the BCCI’s selection release, he will return home after the Tests to play for India A in a five-match one-day series against England Lions. Among the middle-order batsmen, Manish Pandey has missed out on both squads. Pandey was on the bench for all five ODIs against West Indies, and didn’t get a chance in the T20I series in Australia. In the T20Is against West Indies, he
batted twice, scoring 19 and 4*. Kedar Jadhav, who has been an ODI regular but wasn’t part of the recent T20Is, is back in favour in the shortest format. Hardik Pandya, the seam-bowling allrounder, is back as expected after recovering from the back injury that he sustained during the Asia Cup in September. With Jadhav and Hardik returning to the T20I squad, batsman Shreyas Iyer and the spinbowling allrounder Washington Sundar have missed out.
Botafago open defence.... From page 36 unlikely to progress in this championship and the fact that their game would have decided if Capital FC the new club on the block would go through after they lost their game against them should generate interest as if the Eagles could have rebounded to get past Hi Stars by a comfortable margin enough to eliminate the Capital FC. It would be better there-
fore that these two clubs Eagles United and Capital FC be the second game and play to a finish and the winner going through after their previous 0-0 stalemate when the tournament started. The first game is Botafago, who won last year’s tournament, facing Topp XX who gained another chance at a semifinal slot after being the best second placed team behind Winners Connection.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 25, 2018
Atkinson Brothers Football – Moruka
Reval Harris helment-trick leads Atkinson Brothers U-15 to comfortable win A number of teams recorded victories in the latest round of play in the 8th Annual Atkinson Brothers Floodlights Football being played at the Kumaka Recreation Ground in Moruca; following are the results. Under-15: Atkinson Brothers blew away the challenge of Kamawatta 4-1, Reval Harris blasting all four goals in the 4th, 8th, 18th and 19th minute. Kamawatta got their consolation strike off the boot of Lynel Campbell in the 30th minute. Atkinson Brothers also defeated Rising Sons 2-0, Ray Benjamin scoring both goals. Female: The defending champs squeezed past Universal Jags 2-1 thanks to goals from Ronessa Boyal in the 2nd minute and Annalisa Vincent in the 14th. Shenell Wilson scored in the 18th for Universal Jags. Kairie Flames and Universal Jags had recorded wins via the walk over route. Under-17: One of the most exciting matches of the tournament was the semifinals which saw some spectacular goals from both teams at one point it was a goal rally with both teams but at the end it was the Atkinson Brothers FC that p r e v a i l e d o v e r We s t Rockers, 5-4. Daniel Henry fired in a hat-trick for the winners (5th, 7th, 17th), Dawson Marques inked his name on
Daniel Henry and Renaldo Rodriguez - Atkinson Brothers FC senior. the score sheet in the 25th and Ray Benjamin in the 28th minute. Rundel Azair with a double (4th, 6th), Eric Campbell in the 19th minute and an own goal from Mugel Daniel in the 14th minute accounted for West Rockers’ goals. Prior to the semifinal, Atkinson Brothers defeated Kairi Flames 2-0; Dane Phillips 20th and Ray Benjamin 29th. Senior Male: Atkinson Brothers FC edged Vipers 21 in what has been dubbed the best match of the competition so far and witnessed by some 1000 fans. Daniel Henry in the 11th minute and Renaldo Rodriguez in the 26th were the men on target for the winners; Vipers’ lone goal
came off the boot of Alanzo Abrams in the 9th minute. West Rockers needled Exodus 5 through a Dominic Hilliger 21st minute effort. Mainstay Gold Star and played to a 1-1 tie in regulation time against Mora but the latter prevailed 2-0 on kicks from the penalty spot. Golden Eagles clawed back from a goal down to bear Young Guns, 2-1. Eagles defeated Sheba 1-0 with the winning strike coming from Michael Atkinson in the 27th minute. Exodus thumped Construction Boys 4-1; Lexter Fredericks touched in a brace (17th, 26th), Courtney Edwards in the 19th and Reaz Thomas in the 29th were the players on target.
PAGE 37
GFF/Stag Super 16 – Quarter Finals
Block buster double set for Golden Grove today; Leonora hosts tomorrow’s action The quest to make it to the semifinals of the GFF/Stag Super 16 2018/2019 edition will commence this evening at the Golden Grove Ground where the first two quarter finals matches will be contested. Fans, supporters and followers from the City and East Coast will be in for high level entertainment when home team Ann’s Grove tangle with City side Western Tigers in the first match of the night at 18:30hrs. To cap off the Christmas Night action would be defending champions Guyana Defence Force throwing down the gauntlet to fellow Elite League team, Buxton United. Tomorrow at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, the remaining two quarter finals would be contested. Reigning Elite League Champions Fruta Conquerors, aiming to unseat the Army, will take on Upper Demerara’s Milerock in the first game at 18:00hrs with the feature clash on Boxing Night between West Demerara’s Den Amstel and East Demerara’s Victoria Kings. What all the teams have in common at this stage is that they have all been victorious in crossing their respective first hurdles. The final two round of 16 matches were contested on Sunday night last at the Leonora Track and Field Facility Ground where Milerock were led by elder statesman Rawle Gittens who netted both goals (11th, 78th) in their 2-0 win over West Demerara’s Eagles of Stewartville.
The final round-of-16 match produced a humdinger of a battle between Den Amstel and Santos and needed extra time to decide the winner after a fierce 1-1 tie in regulation time. The home side enjoyed lots of possession and while they created numerous chances they were miserable in the final third. It was Santos that took the lead in the 53rd minute after a goalless opening 45 minutes. Sunil Logan decided that he had had enough and stuck one past custodian Jermaine Cumberbatch. Even up that point Den Amstel were the team that were enjoying the better of the exchanges but had difficulty in finishing. But they finally got it right in the 77th when Gavin Graham found the back of the nets to ease and release loads of pressure that was building up not only among the players but amongst their fellow villagers and supporters. And it was back to the drought after the equalizer came as neither team were able to get the go ahead goal. Den Amstel were all over Santos but the art of finishing was distant from their repertoire of plays and shots in the attacking third. Thirty minutes of extra time was required to decide the winner of the contest. Andre Hector became the hero for the home team when he rocked the nets in the (Continued on page 34)
Kaieteur News
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GBA President donates Boxing Gear to Sophia Boxing Gym
Steve Ninvalle (right) hands over the gear to Coach Winton Pompey as the young Boxers share the moment on Sunday at ‘A’ Field Sophia.
P
resident of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle on Sunday donated Boxing Gear which included Gloves, Head Gear, Groin Protectors, mouth guards and Jerseys to the Sophia Warriors Boxing Gym. The Coach of the Gym located at ‘A’ Field Sophia is former Middleweight Boxer Winston Pompey, who fought in 13 professional bouts between 2005 & 2017, collected the Gear for Ninvalle who made a
personal donation. Ninvalle bought the Gear when he attended a Boxing Congress and disclosed that he was prompted to make the donation after the 49-year-old Pompey was finding it difficult to acquire the Gear despite seeking donations from several individuals. Pompey’s young charges were in attendance as the Gear was handed over to their Coach.
Tuesday December 25, 2018
GFF-STAG “Super 16” Year end Tournament
GGDMA makes monetary donation - Revised fixtures with venue change With the grand finals set for January 1 at the GFC Ground, Bourda, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has donated an undisclosed monetary sum to the GFFStag “Super 16” Yearend Tournament. The presentation was made on December 20th by GGDMA’s Administrative Manager, Avalon Jagnandan t o G F F ’s M a r k e t i n g Coordinator, Andrew Small. The agency extended its best wishes for a successful tournament and indicated its interest in a long-term partnership with the GFF. The GFF-Stag “Super 16” Yearend Tournament k i c k e d o ff o n F r i d a y December 14 and is at the midway point with four double-headers remaining culminating with the thirdplace and final playoff. Meanwhile, the venue for the second qualifier on December 26 and the semifinals on December 28 respectively has been shifted to the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora, while the finals is now scheduled for the GFC Ground, Bourda.
GGDMA’s Administrative Manager Avalon Jagnandan Presents their contribution to GFF’s Coordinator Andrew Small. The tournament winner will walk away with two million dollars, a trophy and equipment, the secondplaced team will receive one million, trophy and equipment, third place will get five hundred thousand dollars, trophy and equipment while the fourth-placed team will receive a trophy and equipment. The tournament will conclude with the grand finals on January 1 at a venue to be announced. Admission to all matches is as follows: $1,000 (semifinals) and $1,500 for the finals. Remaining Fixtures: QF DEC 25 18:30 G.
Grove - Ann’s Grove vs Western Tigers QF DEC 25 20:30 G. Grove - Buxton United vs GDF FC QF DEC 26 18:00 NT&FC - Fruta Conquerors vs Milerock QF DEC 26 20:00 NT&FC - Den Amstel vs Victoria Kings SF 1 DEC 28 18:00 NT&FC - Winner M9 vs Winner M10 SF 2 DEC 28 20:00 NT&FC - Winner M11 vs Winner 12 3RD P JAN 01 18:00 GFC - Loser M13 vs Loser M14 Finals JAN 01 20:00 GFC - Winner M13 vs Winner M14
UDFA GT Beer Football at Linden tomorrow
Botafago open defence against Topp XX…… Eagles to meet either Hi Stars or Capital FC Uncertainly lies for one of the double header matches set for tomorrow night, Boxing Night, when the Upper Demerara Football Association GT Beer football championship continues at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. In fact, while the first game from 19.00hrs will feature the reigning champions Botafago taking
on Topp XX the second from 21.00hrs, which should see Hi Stars taking on the Upper Demerara League champions Christianburg’s Eagles United is somewhat uncertain. That game has some doubts since Hi Stars have lost one of their promising players Leonard Peters (Jr.) who lost his life due to stab wounds in his home
community a few days ago. That death has put a damper on that game coming off. It is therefore unlikely that a strong enough side could put in an appearance under the circumstances and last night the UDFA should have met with the Hi Stars club executives and decide on the chances of that game coming off.Hi Stars are (Continued on page 34)
Tuesday December 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
PAGE 39
Guyana to play in T&T and Canadian indoor competitions early 2019
Guyana’s male and female hockey teams are scheduled to visit Canada in March 2019, a move which will ensure the continuity of the sport’s development in Guyana. This disclosure was made by President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), Philip Fernandes at the conclusion of this year’s Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival, earlier in the month. “This is our last event (Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival) for 2018 and going into next
year, we’ve been invited by Canada to bring a men’s and women’s senior indoor hockey national teams to compete against Canada and Belarus on the women’s side and on the men’s side, it’s against Canada and Russia in tri-nation tournament so the focus now is on that to see if we can get it done,” Fernandes explained. His comments came on the heels of Guyana’s strong showing in this year’s indoor hockey festival where eventual Champions Pepsi Hikers dethroned Trinidad’s Queens Park to take their
Majority of the Old Old Fort Veteran side.
eighth title in the event. However, the hockey calendar gets underway as early as next week with Old Fort Hockey Club (OFHC) set to field a Veteran and a female side in next month’s Ventures Hockey Club invitational in the twin island republic of Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) from January 3rd to 6th. Joining OFHC will be a National development team that is being prepared under the watchful eyes of National Men’s coach, Robert Fernandes, who is currently in the process of developing the next batch of players to succeed at the senior level. Fernandes noted to Kaieteur Sport that his 12man team consists of under19 players with the exception of Jamarj Assanah who will serve as the captain during their extended tour which will end on the 16th. “After Ventures’ senior indoor tournament, we will play in the UWI (University o f t h e We s t I n d i e s ) invitational and we are
The Old Fort ladies who will be competing in next month’s Ventures indoor tournament in T&T. looking forward to having as much playing time on the artificial turf so we will also train between the competition days”, Fernandes noted.
T h e n a t i o n a l development squad reads: Omar Hopkinson, Warren Wi l l i a m s , N a n d a l l a l Persaud, Paul D’Andrade, Kareem McKenzie,
Meshach Sargeant, Samuel Wo o d r o ff e , Ti v e r s a r i d Garnett, Shomere Garnett, Nikel Ashby, Shakeem Fausette and Jamarj Assanah (skipper).
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday December 25, 2018
Fisherman Masters reward players and fans
Players and supporters with their accolades.
F
isherman Masters have grown from strength to strength in the softball arena for the past year and on Sunday night last at an appreciation ceremony held at M and M Investment Inc, Peter ’s Hall, the team rewarded its players and fans for their commitment. The ceremony was
organised by all-rounders Zameer Hassan and Dennis Mangru and apart from the aforementioned duo, among other players that received prizes were Danny Thomas, Pooran Singh, Ramesh Parsram, Lloyd Squires, Stanley Mohabir, Robert Mohan, Narendra Puran, Troy Ramsaywack and Munilall Mohanlall.
Awards were also given out to the wives of the players for their supporting roles as well as Kimberly Puran, Makala Mangroo and Razia Hassan for their outstanding achievement in the recent CSEC examination, while Kaieteur News Sports Journalist Zaheer Mohamed was rewarded for his outstanding services rendered to the sport. Also present at the function were Jagdesh Persaud and Mohamed Rafeek. In an invited comment, Hassan said that it’s their way of saying thank you to the fans, adding that he is looking forward to their continued support. Hassan lauded the players on their performance throughout the year and urged them to remain committed to the team.
Kaieteur News’ Zaheer Mohamed (left) accepts his prize from Zameer Hassan.
Tuesday December 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
Chanderpaul, Mohamed guide Everest Masters to sevenwicket win over Media XI
Shivnarine Chanderpaul accepts his plaque from Rajesh Singh. Everest Masters skipper Rajesh Singh collects the winning trophy from Captain of the Media XI John Ramsingh in the presence of members of both sides.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Saheed Mohamed struck half centuries to guide host Everest Masters to a sevenwicket win over the Media XI when the teams collided on Saturday last in a 25-over affair. Chanderpaul and Mohamed frustrated their opponents with sensible batting as their team successfully chased 160, ending on 163-3 in 16.4 overs. The right-handed Mohamed clobbered five fours and four sixes before he retired on 62, while Chanderpaul timed the ball to perfection as he struck four fours and one six before he too retired when on 55. Basil Persaud and Ronald Jaisingh were unbeaten on 14 and 10 respectively when victory was achieved. Siddiq Mohamed took one wicket
for the Media XI. Earlier, the Media XI lost six wickets after they decided to bat. Rajiv Bisnauth stroked seven fours before retiring on 53, while guess players Siddiq Mohamed and Ryan Banwarie made 26 and 20 respectively. John Ramsingh made 18 before he retired as Persaud claimed 4-33, while A. Persaud took two wickets. Everest Masters skipper Rajesh Singh expressed gratitude to the players on both teams for making the game possible. He presented a plaque to Chanderpaul while Persaud was named man-of-thematch. Bisnauth and Siddiq Mohamed received trophies for being named the best batsman and bowler respectively on the Media XI. Everest Masters received a trophy.
Basil Persaud (right) receives his manof-the-match prize from Rahaman Khan.
Bakewell supports GFFExxonmobil International Futsal Festival Bakewell, one of the Guyana’s largest bakery establishments, is the latest member of corporate Guyana to throw their support behind the GFFExxonMobil International Futsal Festival scheduled for December 27 – 30 at the
Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The monetary donation was presented by B a k e w e l l ’s M a n a g e r, Rajendranauth Ganga, to GFF’s President Wayne Forde on Friday last in the presence of Aubrey (Continued on page 36)
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t r o Sp GFF/Stag Super 16 – Quarter Finals
Action in the Milerock (green) and Eagles match on Sunday night last at Leonora.
Block buster double set for Golden Grove today; Leonora hosts tomorrow’s action Atkinson Brothers Football – Moruka
Reval Harris helment-trick leads Atkinson Brothers U-15 to comfortable win
Bakewell’s Rajendranauth Ganga makes the presentation to GFF’s President Wayne Forde, while Aubrey Major looks on.
Dane Phillips and Ray Benjamin U-17 of Atkinson Brothers FC.
Bakewell supports GFF-Exxonmobil International Futsal Festival
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