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Monday Edition December 07, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 50

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Kaieteur News

Monday December 07, 2020

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL TEL:624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL The Guyana Prize for Literature A little over a year ago, it was discovered that the intricately carved signboard in front of the Walter Rodney Archives was removed and replaced with a basic plastic signboard that said “National Archives of Guyana”. What followed was an embarrassing bit of theatre in which the then Minister of Culture within the Ministry of the Presidency, the perpetually clueless Dr. George Norton, pretended not to know that the order to remove and replace the sign came from above his head, and in which the increasingly supine Working People’s Alliance pretended to await an explanation from Norton’s superior, then President David Granger, about an explanation about why the sign was removed and who gave the order. Of course, neither non-mystery has been ‘solved’ to this day, an incident that typified the arbitrary ‘management’ approach that the ironically ‘historian’ former President had with reference to the creative arts and culture. While Granger’s removal of the Rodney sign might be understandable, considering the former President’s Burnhamite sentiments and the role Rodney played in challenging ‘King Kong’, one curious similar erasure remains puzzling – that of the Guyana Prize for Literature. The Guyana Prize for Literature was started in 1987 under then President and Leader of the People’s National Congress Desmond Hoyte as a state award for exemplary literary effort. As with the Walter Rodney Archives issue, when confronted about the disappearance of the Guyana Prize under the Granger administration, Minister Norton would bumble from clueless obfuscation to clueless obfuscation. For example, in January of 2018, when it was pointed out that the government had failed to provide funding for the Prize that was to be held in July of 2017, Norton simply denied that the government was deliberately withholding funding, but could not provide an explanation for why the funding was not given. The prior and to this date, the last Guyana Prize for Literature had been awarded in 2015 under the APNU+AFC but was budgeted for under the Ramotar administration. In June of 2018, Norton was equally helpless when asked by Kaieteur News about the fate of the Prize, rambling that: ”I am not in a position to say if it is being scrapped, I have been trying to get information and some information I have received says it can’t be business as usual, some changes have to be made… Some of the information that I have, which I can’t verify is that, things are not going the way it should…I am getting the impression that there were some areas that were not too specific, and as a result, some people may consider them as not being fair and above board.” Eight months later, in February of 2019, we were told simply that the Guyana Prize issue was due to be discussed at “Cabinet” and that said discussion was delayed because some overseas-based person was overseas and therefore not present to present some nebulous report that no one knew had actually been commissioned. For all its flaws, the Guyana Prize for Literature was a visionary initiative by Desmond Hoyte and one of the few PNC era institutions that were retained when the People’s Progressive Party took office in 1992. There were years that it stumbled, and a significant hiatus when it was not held, but it regained footing in 2013, was held again in 2015 bringing significant new talent like Subraj Akash Singh to the fore, before being killed off by a government and president that had far more empty rhetoric than vision. When it comes to the creative arts funding, the temptation of new governments is to let the victims of their predecessors rest in peace. Monies for artists and writers that might still turn around and criticize politicians might very well be spent on community pork-barrel projects and votegetting gimmicks. The Irfaan Ali administration would be in error if it took this view – the reality is that the Guyana Prize is as much a PPP achievement as it is a PNC one. If the new President is going to take tangible steps in not only bridging the socio-political divide, but also correcting one of the more absurd and egregious acts of his predecessor, he needs to ensure that the Guyana Prize is resurrected, reformed and put to work. That and, of course, restoring the Walter Rodney Archives sign.

The perils of a taboo - Gender based violence DEAR EDITOR, In the back of our minds, there has always been the burning (childish?) question of, is the world coming to an end and if so, when and how? Recent space developments and the advent of daily technology being improvised, suggest gross uncertainty if not certain doubt. The world is encountering varied speculations regarding the advent of the deadly COVID-19 and entertaining far-fetched reactions towards its repercussions. Space X success in launching its 100th successful flight to the Space Station and the arrival on earth of Japanese probe with asteroid dust, reflect mankind’s ingenuity in advancing the race for trying to understand the mystery of the universe with the help of science. Skeptics also wonder if this is not man’s interference beyond the sublimity of mankind’s domicile. If so, then, this intrusion may translate into strange encounters and unprecedented circumstances. The world is engrossed with climatic changes. Economic and political injections create social implications. While dictatorship and

discrimination derail many societies, the freedom of expression and the fight for equality continue to gain momentum. The increase of poverty and suffering highlight the attention for attraction. Is this cyclic wave a result of inhumane behaviour or the effect of an intervention from a higher order? Leaving the door open is making room for a sleepless night. Maybe this chain reaction may explain this rush of violent madness which is gripping Guyana’s shore and creating a havoc with family life. Is there something in the air which is controlling people’s minds and gripping the hands to plunge knifes into the bodies of partners? Does hallucination contributes as a gray area for concern? How delusive can the imagination become? What excuse encourages this gravitational pull towards eruptive behaviour? Are the social and economic implications the only explanation for this rampant upheaval? There is no comfort in reflecting on Guyana’s figures relating to gender-based violence. One death is one too much and seventeen is simply preposterous and atro-

cious. The United Nations call for a 16 day activities to bring an awareness to this agitated furor, is being met with Guyana launching its “enough with the violence” campaign by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. First Lady, Arya Ali is also involved along with other women’s organizations to render services in this direction. A quick look at some discussed forms of domestic violence includes: 1) Physical Abuse – an intentional act of applying force to someone’s body in an attempt to harm that person. Included but not limited may reflect, kicking, biting, choking and hitting. 2) Financial Deprivation – the event of an abuser controlling or taking away the victim’s money in order to suppress them. 3 Emotional/Psychological Abuse – this display unfolds in the forms of verbal attacking, belittling, insulting or ridiculing someone. Also inclusive is undermining their self-image, self-worth and self-confidence. Even intentionally disregarding or downplaying someone and their efforts, are regarded as

abusive. 4 ) Sexual Abuse – forcing a partner into undesired sexual acts may include incest, rape or inappropriate touching. Experts’ reviews recognize a cycle of violence as documented: In an abusive relationship, there is a repeated cycle involving domestic violence:Tension Building Phase leading to an Abusive Incident to follow the Honeymoon Phase and ending up back again with the Tension Building Phase. Tension Building Phase – tension increases and there is a breakdown in communication. The victim becomes fearful or feels like they are “walking on eggshells” around the abuser.Honeymoon Phase – the abuser may apologize, buy gifts, or be extra affectionate to “make up” for the abuse. Promises are made to change, stop abusing or making a commitment that it will never happen again. But once this phase is over, the tension building phase commences again and the comforting promises the abuser made will be broken. There are some warning (Continued on page 6)

Audit the $1.2 Trillion and hold spendthrift Accountable DEAR EDITOR, In reading about the huge deficit incurred by the coalition during its five years tenure, putting on my economist hat, my conclusion is there was reckless spending of those in charge of government finances. The huge deficit is deeply worrisome as the consequences to the economy would be devastating for years to come forcing the Ali government to put a squeeze on spending. Over five years, $1.2T was spent with a deficit of $130B (money spent beyond what was collected in revenues) or borrowing it – equivalent of US$650M. That is a per capita debt of G$173K (US$866). One also reads that the coalition went into overdraft in the central bank — found $16B surplus and left office with an overdraft of $93 billion which means it spent $109B. In addition, government granted GuySuCo $30B NICIL bond of which some $17B was drawn down between 2017 and 2020. Even though spent on Guysuco which owes it, it is a government debt. There was no capitalization project at GuySuCo with that $17B; factories were not rehabilitated and movable equipment disappeared. It was spent mostly on new (non-field) staff added after the closure of estates in 2016. In addition to the above deficits, the government owes

$12B to GPL. When all added together, that is a further $29B in arrears making total deficit of G$159B (or almost US$800M) over five years or a per capita debt of over US $1K. We also learn that government incurred US$400M foreign debt over this period to fund various programmes. But the above deficit is not a true reflection of government borrowing. Overdraft was ballooning at the Central Bank. There is G$70B Treasury Bills that Bank of Guyana issued from around 2017; that info is in BoG semi-annual report. Economists would know that T Bills are issued for fiscal purposes to reduce deficit on paper. The T Bills were issued to absorb excess liquidity in the banking system and were bought up by commercial banks with government paying the interest rate. The T Bills were hiding the amount of true spending. Evidently, under the APNUled coalition, overdraft increased significantly. It seems similar to what transpired during the Hoyte/ Burnham regimes. During the change in administration in October 1992, it was revealed that there was an overdraft of some G$45B which in today’s dollar value would be in excess of G$90B. The Jagan government had to erase that deficit through savings and very tight monetary spending in order to accrue money just

to pay interest; some 92% of export earnings were used to pay the interests on the foreign debt. The coalition returned with the same kind of extravagant spending as under its previous carnation of the PNC regime that was removed from office by the US in 1992. As Jagan did, the Ali led government would have to pursue tight spending over the next five years in order to gain fiscal and monetary balance. It means that the oil revenues for the next five years would have to be used to pare down the deficit and also to pay interests similar to what happened post 1992 by the PPP administration when revenues from exports were used to reduce the debt of some US$2.2B. What happened during the five years of the coalition was criminal. Responsible individuals must be held accountable. One recalls that the coalition had threatened to bring criminal charges against then Finance Minister Ashni Singh for spending money without parliamentary approval. But worse happened under the coalition between December 2018 and July 2020. Money was expended without authorization. There should not have been any deficit for that period of time since the government was in caretaker mode following its defeat in the no confidence

motion of December 21, 2018. Jordan should know better than to go into deficit spending because he was once Budget Director thru May 2015. He knows how important not to bankrupt the treasury or violate rules relating to caretaker status. Only one twelfth of the budget should have been spent monthly without any deficit. There were no capital projects. We read that over $1B spent on the Covid Hospital did not meet basic requirements. And the sea defence breaches are not completed in spite of the huge amounts expended; this government has to spend more to complete the project. Money was just handed out to friends and cronies for work not done. Payroll doubled between 2015 and 2020. It is incredible that no one attempted to rein in spending. In fact, I recall being told of a memo issued by one Michael Joseph (brought by Jordan from St. Lucia as a political appointee), Secretary to the Treasury, instructing public servants to keep their mouth shuts on deficit spending. Thus, information on wasteful spending could not be made public to stop the runaway train. International lending institutions denied applications for loans or grants for Covid as the World Bank and IDB recognized that the APNU (Continued on page 6)

Monday December 07, 2020

The Guyana workforce is woefully lacking DEAR EDITOR, I thank the outgoing Canadian High Commissioner, Her Excellency, Ms. Lilian Chatterjee, for her keen observation that Guyana does not have the kind of workforce to carry this country forward with its oil (SN December 5). Since, the departing diplomat is a guest in this homeland, she is entitled to every courtesy that is inseparable from the hospitality that I know and embrace. Thus, I curtail any strong or sharp words, and settle for enhancing what the Honourable One articulated, by going where she didn’t want to go (unlike during the elections) and where even locals may fear to tread. In my own words, I agree that Guyana severely lacks the skills and talents, the aptitudes and attitudes, and so much more. I elaborate and specify. To the largest extent possible, the Guyanese worker lacks the requite work ethic; the Guyanese manager is devoid of a fundamental inclination to be about what is problem solving, people facing, outcome delivering. And both the Guyanese junior worker and senior manager are bereft of the versatility, resourcefulness, and trustworthiness to rise to the many challenges embedded in our oil findings and oil prospects. They are too settled in old ways and resistant to change. After all, things have always been done this way: ‘just now’ and ‘come back again’ and ‘maybe later.’ But worst of all is the reality that our political leaders are a gang of not merely four, but of 144 (possibly thousand) of the finest scoundrels to be found anywhere near where oil money cascades or promises to flow. They have already fixed the game to suit themselves, and that is even before the first drop of oil was produced, the first barrel filled, the first tanker sailed. For sure, we do not have the workforce, but that is an understatement of a narrow and limited aspect of the problem. We do have some astute people of rare acumen but they are too few, too partisan (for or against), too disengaged, other than for the money. The bigger concern is that Guyana does not house the calibre of people, who possess prowess in principles. People who hold high what is honourable. People who are enmeshed in the ethical. We can have all the skills and technical strengths needed in the oil world, but if we have no character and truth, then we might as well not have oil for all the good that it would do for us. Editor, in support of my fierce contentions, I tender

exhibits 1 to 3, which would be those poster children for what went wrong in the world of fabled oil wealth: Nigeria, Angola, and Venezuela. We need leaders who can be trusted to drive the oil bus with the welfare, present and future, of citizens foremost in mind. They are of the scarcest variety; I believe that we may have none, absolutely none. We do not need leaders in the forefront of oil corruptions, where personal collections rank highest. To my never-ending shame and sorrow, this latter category, we have by the oil tanker full, and by the fleet. Look at them and listen to them: in these early days of oil, one political leader after another (and their surrounding casts of lesser and greater evils) can’t even talk to oil truths, since they have tied themselves up into knots with their blatant rogueries. Their leadership and stewardship secrets render them into dumb beasts, where oil is concerned. They speak of no laws broken and criminality is confirmed. They paw the air and run away from speaking, like those bandits that run away from capture. Flight is guilt. If there is nothing to hide, then why the many stutterers? I do not equivocate on this: we do not have the political workforce. No ma’am (or Sir!). Editor, this is the local content that Guyana has from top to bottom, only the goodly High Commissioner was too circumspect (as diplomats should always be) in the manner of a polite houseguests observing the tenets of long-established protocols. The bottom line is this, and can say it without fear of contradiction: we do not have what it takes. Not leaders. Not workers. Not partners. Not joint venturers. Not helpers of any caliber. What we do have in prodigious abundance is a whitecollar criminal workforce that is up to the challenge of any explosive oil growth. And that we do not need. We can start from any house of the state and work our way, all the way to the outhouse, and it is the same story: the wrong kind of radioactive workforce. Sincerely, GHK Lall

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CARICOM’s free movement and Caribbean “Brotherhood” DEAR EDITOR, Darren Wade, who is the lawyer representing The Haitians in this so called free movement of Caribbean Peoples matter, is at the centre of a politico-humanitarian conflict that is raging on right now in Guyana, but I have a few poignant facts to put before him. I say poignant facts, because these are the reality of the situation we are faced with. In the first place is Mr Wade aware of the position Haiti falls under when it comes to Caricom’s free movement of peoples? I do not think so, because the erroneous assumption he is embarking on of “free movement” does not apply to Haiti as is the true interpretation of the charter agreement. In the second instance, he is alluding to another erroneous assumption, that as a Caribbean national you are under a halo of some sorts to be given mandatory entry into someone else’s country to stay, or to go on to another destination in this grand scheme of human trafficking. Well, I must educate Mr

Wade and his PNC Associates that a responsible government such as ours, we are not going to stand idly by and allow this human exploitation to flourish, at least not under our watch. This is a classic case of human trafficking, a Caribbean form of Slavery in motion, and should I say in the strongest of tones ever, Guyana will not be part of it! Now, as per normal when all else fails The PNC is quick to jump on the bandwagon of race and in this case the ethnicity of the migrants can come in under the caption of “humane consideration.” He is suggesting that because you are of a certain ethnicity you can evidently bypass the agreement and that settles the matter, well I have some information to furnish Mr Wade, that he should pay strict attention to: (a) We are still a country who respect laws and (b) Of all The Caribbean Territories Guyana remains the most friendliest and most humane. A case in point is the treatment meted out to a group of Haitians who were caught

overstaying their time in the sister Island of St Lucia, in that instance, the poor hapless Haitian men, women and children were rounded up and cooped up into the same cell. This was the grossest form of the violation of ones human rights. And to top it off no one said a “humane word” on the part of the Haitians because all of this came from the instructions of the government of the day. Sarcastically I would make the remark that this is their interpretation of what “free movement and Caribbean integration” is all about, it was a crude display of man’s inhumanity to man. Further to it, their situation would not have changed until a local human rights group here spoke out against it. But let me put the Haitians aside for a moment and let us concentrate a bit on “Black Caribbean Brotherhood,” that is, the way Guyanese were treated at their fellow Black Caribbean Brothers’ Ports of entry. We were subjected to the most inhumane and undignified treatment ever, the mo-

ment a Caribbean immigration official saw a Guyanese travel document or maybe his speech gave him away, every form of humiliating and demeaning measures were employed to keep the Guyanese out. Maybe with the change in fortunes brought on by oil that aspect of our bad treatment might change. Even Granger himself was a victim of such embarrassing circumstances, I am talking about him granting The Barbadian Prime Minister Freundel Stuart the highest courtesies that can be extended to a head of government. However, soon after when a fellow pregnant Guyanese landed on The Barbadian shores she was given treatment befitting an animal, this is the reality of what I am talking about. What I am saying is that the Government of Guyana is not anti Haitian nor is it anti Black as some might suggest. If that were the case, then the hundreds of Haitians who are still here would have been rounded up and summarily (Continued on page 6)

FREDDIE KISSOON GOT THE STORY WRONG DEAR EDITOR, Your columnist, Freddie Kissoon, in his December 6 column accused me of criticizing him for being silent on the PPP’s excesses since it came to power in August. According to Freddie. “David Hinds, I was told, in an online newspaper – the Buxton Voice – lambasted me for my silence since the PPP/C came into power on August 2. The implication is obvious – I wasn’t silent from March to July and now I am in December.” Freddie got the story wrong. I actually did not criticize him on that issue, so it must be his own guilt that is weighing on his mind. That he sees March-July as unconnected from anything before or after is a matter Freddie has to work out for himself. That he is obsessed with the “crooked politics” of March-July and totally silent on the “violent governance” of August-December is an inconsistency that must bother even an unbothered commentator like Freddie. But I did draw attention to

another Kissoon inconsistency. Writing in the Village Voice, I said this “When the PPP returned to office in 1992 it embarked on the very cleansing of the government of mainly African Guyanese. One remembers for example the cleansing of the then foreign service of its African Guyanese officers. One of the few that survived the cleansing was an African Officer with an Indian Guyanese name. The Desmond Hoyte-led PNC introduced the term ‘ethnic cleansing” to describe the government’s action. Ultimately, this discrimination against the “other” con-

tinued throughout the PPP’s term in office. Many commentators, including Mr. Christopher Ram and Mr. Freddie Kissoon were convinced that these actions indeed flowed from an ideology that was grounded in racial domination. Mr. Christopher Ram actually instituted private charges against Mr. Jagdeo for alleged racial statements uttered at a public gathering at Babu John. Mr. Kissoon was sued by Mr. Jagdeo for asserting that he Jagdeo was practicing “ideological racism.” This commentator was recruited by Mr. Kissoon as

his “expert witness” in that case. To support his case, Mr. Kissoon produced a booklet in which he chronicled the ethno-racial character of the government service of that time. The Freddie Kissoon of those times must be turning in his grave to see how the Freddie Kissoon of today has betrayed him. The Freddie of today can hardly be called a Kissoonite. Dr. Henry Jeffrey, a former PPP government Minister, has since accused the PPP of being driven in part by the need for Ethnic Domination by Indian Guyanese. David Hinds

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Canadian electoral neutrality DEAR EDITOR, I note with amusement SN’s coverage of the remarks of the outgoing Canadian High Commissioner. Clearly, Her Excellency, Ms. Lillian Chatterjee, has been here too long, as some of what Guyana represents seems to have rubbed off on her. Not the positive things mind you; but all the unbecoming things that this country is about at its nasty, dirty, sickly core. “Canada does not take sides.” My word! I cannot believe that the mighty Ms. Chatterjee stumbled so awkwardly. Apparently, she did not learn anything from her counterpart in the American diplomatic community, who I am sure would have said to her: go tell that to the marines! It is now obvious that Ms. Chatterjee has a selective memory of particular ingenuity. Canada does not take side, she says, but somehow, she forgot to stay on her side of the fence, as convention demanded. For there she was, one ubiquitous presence, near the GECOM battlefield, the Arthur Chung Conference Center, and some building named Ashmin’s now etched in Guyanese electoral infamy. In view of her avian presence, there were no sides that were sturdy enough that could

have kept her (and Canada) away from the magnetisms of Guyana’s elections circuses. And this is what the magician from Montreal (or wherever) calls sovereignty honoured and democracy delivered. Come to think of it,

the people who are guests here were more pronounced in their presences than even someone like me, who is actually from here. And to hear the esteemed High Commissioner tell it, “All we want was for the will of the people to be respected.” Whose will and which people may I be bold enough to inquire. T o ask and answer, just in case the Canadian High Commissioner has an attack of honesty and remembers diplomatic reserve and, thus, refrains from responding. It would be the will of the White House and Houston, and the will of the operating arm (of both) the United States State Department. It is the will of the local oil people, which is the will of the PPP (which promised a king’s ransom in return) and the will of the PNC (whose people sold on promises of payment for silence) when the going soured. That is the democracy Canada proudly presented here. And when the deed that endangered Guyana (from oil losses and Venezuelan vindictiveness) was done, the High Commissioner rapidly retreated to her side of the barricades. Let stupid, ignorant Guyanese fight over the kind of democracy gifted and what it means for them. Like the PPP and PNC, Excellency Chatterjee, suddenly lost her capacity for ubiquity and garrulity over the byproducts of democracy. On Guyana’s elections, this was democracy without diplomatic decency, democracy without diplomatic cred-

ibility. Perhaps, on her way to Lester Pearson, she can stop off in Atlanta and offer democracy lessons to the people of Georgia. What we had here was not democracy, not by a long shot. What we had was a massive display of shock and awe for the natives, compliments of American hegemony, and Canadian (and European) perversity. Editor, I urge thinking about this: if the PNC had agreed to American demands, then its electoral ascendancy was assured. That would have been termed democracy, too; and the will of the people, too. Just like what occurred with one LFS Burnham. To its credit, the crafty PPP picked up the PNC pieces and made them into the whole cloth of elections success, as powered by people who don’t take sides. Today, the PPP is democracy’s darlings, because the people over there say that is what it is, and what things will happen. Either way, Guyana would have gotten what ABC, E, and LA were dishonest enough to label democracy. For the last time, it was not of the will of local people, but of those political people who decided that it was healthier to respond properly to the will of the people from the irresistible north side. And of whose implacable will, even Ms. Chatterjee and her Canadian contingent were pawn and part. This they name democracy. Guyanese may be stupid. Just don’t include me. Sincerely, GHK Lall

Monday December 07, 2020

The perils of a taboo - Gender based... From page 4 signs one can become wary of to protect oneself and also others. Psychologists pinpoint your partner/spouse mistreats or abuses you by doing one or more than one or all of the following: 1. Accuses you of having an affair constantly. 2. Criticizes everything you do, including name-calling. 3. Punches the wall, throw objects, and seems mentally unstable. 4. Threatens to hurt you, kill you or your children/family. 5. Makes you feel worthless, stupid and yells as the main form of communication. 6. Controls every single aspect of the family’s finances without your input. 7. Even though you work, he gives you an “allowance” where you must justify every single expenditure. 8. Stops you from wanting to work outside the home. 9. Stalks you, checks where you are and who you are with at all times. 10. Hits, pushes, pull hair, punches. 11. Locks you inside the home until his return. 12. Forces you to have sex. Trained professionals advise some norms for consideration for female behaviour that may work against women becoming abusers, especially when alone or far away from immediate help: 1) Defer to men. 2) Be nice – you can “catch more flies with honey.” 3) Adapt to things you don’t like; endure what you can’t control. 4) Soothe other people’s

anger. 5) Shut up! Keep your feelings to yourself – especially anger. 6) Keep the peace. 7) Keep the family together. 8) Take responsibility for how men treat you. 9) Don’t be too “demanding.” Discussants opine possible resolutions to be adopted and implemented as solutions: While we struggle to find the solutions, women continue to cower in fear, tell doctors that they fell down the stairs to explain injuries from merciless beatings and lawyers and case workers should continue to plead with them to stay away from their perpetrators. 1. Citizens can do better to bring awareness to the situation by being responsive and responsible. 2. Representative for the United Nations (UN) Women Multi-Country Office in the Caribbean Toni Brodber said teaching youth positive conflict resolution techniques can help prevent violence in relationships before they begin. 3. All must work in every home, school, office, church, society, organization, community, in every part of our country to expose violence against women where it exists, support the women, work with the perpetrators, create safe spaces, educate persons and share solution. 4. A zero tolerance campaign against violence against women can bring an end to the seemingly unending wave of violence. 5. Join the movement on

Audit the $1.2 Trillion and ... From page 4 government could not be trusted. Even Covid grant was held back; the country began receiving substantial grants and loans after the change in administration. In light of the abuses at the treasury during the coalition, it is incumbent that Gov-

ernment and or BoG issue daily reporting on borrowing, overdraft, and issuance of T Bills. What is critical now is a forensic audit of the $1.2T. Special attention should be focused on the $4.5B deficit from November 2019 to July 2020. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram (PhD)

social media. 6. Establish emergency hotline, which will link survivors to agencies, advocacy programmes, referral pathways, microenterprise industries, public-private skills employment database matching and offer immediate help to extricate them from violent situations. 7. A 24 Hour Hotline Operators will offer support, referral to victims and survivors, family, friends and professionals via an integration of the services available at both the Domestic Violence Unit and the Childcare and Protection Agency. 8. For couples who ‘live home’ even after children are produced in the relationship - Are there signs of an abuser that can be discerned early on in a budding relationship, which can then be nipped in mandatory pre-counselling before matters proceed too far? 9. Most abuse and violence are committed by “significant others”. We bear much of the responsibility for choosing them. Let us become educated for the signals sent out by abusers. 10. Report every incident of violence, since by doing that you can save a life. It was Maya Angelou who advised, “If you are going down a road and you don’t like what’s in front of you, and look behind you and don’t like what you see, get off the road! Create a new path because, hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay.” Respectfully, Jai Lall

CARICOM’s free... From page 5 deported. What is crystal clear is that we will not allow an illegal and inhumane exploitation of a fellow human being conducted on our shores, this is evil and would weigh heavily on our conscience. Our go vern-

ment would ensure that this scourge is done away with. Respectfully Submitted, Neil Adams

Monday December 07, 2020

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Monday December 07, 2020

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The math concerning the vaccine Two persons died from COVID-19 complications yesterday. One of the persons was only 55 years old. Given the number of confirmed positive cases recorded this week and last week, it can be expected that more persons are going to die this week. The number of case is fluctuating on a daily basis like a yo-yo. It is a complete waste of effort calling upon the PPP/C government to implement stricter measures in order to stem the cases. As far as the PPP/C is concerned, those who are dying have underlying conditions and are expendable. Yesterday’s deaths are all the more regrettable considering that a vaccine is about to be rolled out in the United Kingdom starting on Tuesday. If only those persons who died could have avoided infection for the next two months, they may have stood a better chance because by then the vaccine would have reached Guyana, hopefully. Hopefully is the operative word. The time it takes for the Ministry of Health to get things leaves one with the impression of a much too casual approach to the present health emergency. There is still no village-level response to the pandemic.

Considering the secret which the government is keeping from the population, this is all the more irresponsible. That secret is that the indigenous communities have been hardest hit by the pandemic as evident by the lockdown which have had to take place in such communities. Apart from Bartica, the only communities which have been subject to lockdowns have been indigenous communities. But the government has been silent about what has been happening to the indigenous population whose infection rates are believed to be disproportionate relative to their share of the population. The vaccine is not going to reach here in time to prevent more deaths. A lot more persons are going to die before immunization begins. Like Guyana, the UK is leaning towards first vaccinating persons who are above the age of 80, the highest-risk group in the UK. The life expectancy in the UK is 81.5 years. The life expectancy in Guyana is estimated at 68.2 years. Life expectancy, however, is not the criteria which is being used to determine who gets the vaccine first. The UK life expectancy happens to

coincide with the age group which has been at the highest mortality risk for COVID19. Thus, they are leaning towards commencing the immunization process by administering to persons over 80 years of age. In Guyana, the high mortality group appears to be persons above the age of 55. But the country would probably need about 90,000 vaccines to immunize everyone in this age range. The problem is that the first batch of vaccines will probably not reach here until February and it will only amount to around 22,500 doses. This will be inadequate to vaccinate the over 55 year’s age group. It will probably barely do for the over 70 population. The second dilemma concerns logistics. Guyana would be best advised not to get the Pfizer vaccine since this has to be stored at minus 70 degrees. Guyana simply has never stored any vaccines at this temperature and really given the country’s erratic power supply it is going to be a logistical nightmare for this vaccine to be stored and administered under these conditions would make it virulent. Given the logistical problems associated with the Pfizer vaccine and the limited num-

Dem boys seh ...

Riggers pun de move Deh gat some barefaced people. Dem was part of de plot to supporting de rigging of de elections. Some of dem did even want throw away de ballot boxes after dem realize dem lose de elections. Dem was like Trump. Dem know dem lose but dem still peddling lie fuh mek dem supporters believe dem. And dem could do dat because dem know a sucker is born every day in Guyana and dey gat plenty people who also does believe what dem want to believe. Trump nah want believe wah he want to believe. He

just gat a big ego and just playing plain stubborn. But unlike in Guyana, he nah gan get no court fuh frustrate de eventual outcome of the elections. Dem scamps in Guyana was therefore hoping that Trump gan pull off a coup through the legal system and dat is going to boost dem chances of casting doubts on Guyana’s 2020 elections. Well it gat another thing coming. Dat ain’t gan happen because Trump gan start get sense soon. Dem wah trying fuh turn back de clock Guyana, must

know dat them time gone. Nobody nah gan trust them anymore. Dem disgrace themselves and embarrass de country with de attempts to rig de elections. And if dem think dat people gan soon forget dat, well dem better think again. Guyanaese nah gan forget wah dese scamps put dem through fuh months. De Guyanese people gan remember dat and could diss all of dem who trying fuh mek a political comeback. Talk half and wait fuh see de rejection of de riggers!

bers which will first be given to Guyana, it may be best that Guyana tries to obtain the Moderna vaccine. This does not require rigid cold storage of the Pfizer vaccine. But if Pfizer comes, it should be given to the high-risk group first, but people will have to appreciate that only three percent of the population will be able to be vaccinated in the first instance. What this means in practical terms, is that the vacci-

nation is no silver bullet. And if we want to stop the infections and deaths, then, in the absence of government ordered and enforced but limited lockdown, the people will have to limit their movement until the end of next year at least. There is no other. If people want to survive, they will have to be more careful. Because as far as the government and the business community is concerned, the

economy takes precedence and those who are dying are simply expendable. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Monday December 07, 2020

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Traffic ranks among 20 made to pull off their tints SERVICES

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Over the past week, Kaieteur News learnt that several police officers which included traffic ranks, were forced to strip their vehicles of tint. On December 3, a police corporal attached to the central Immigration and Passport office was forced to strip off all the tint from his grey Toyota Premio motorcar in the presence of the Region Three commander. A video of the process was recorded which a gained a lot of attention after it was posted on Facebook. The immigration officer was seen striping tint from all four windows. Speaking with Kaieteur News, the Commander of the division, Errol Watts, said that he was not the first. In fact, Watts said, the number of officers forced to pull off their tints is around 20. Among them are traffic ranks. “Sergeants, corporals and constables were in the mix as well”, said the commander. When asked whether any charges were laid, he said that this initial action of stripping of the tints will serve as an official warning. Should they fail to adhere, continued the commander, then they will have to be disciplined. Not so long ago during the launching of Road Safety Week, Watts told his ranks that they must lead by ex-

Commander of region Three: Errol Watts. ample. For some years now the Guyana Police Force has been in a battle against the use of tints on vehicles. Numerous campaigns were held over the years across the country. Many drivers were charged, fined and forced to take off their tints. However, the problem with tints continues. Kaieteur News featured an article in April of 2019 titled “Police Gets tough on tints”; In that article one driver had said that he and the officers were “good” since he gives them a little raise to keep them off his back. This has been the stories of countless drivers across the country. Some have also chosen to be stubborn because officers

Police corporal attached to immigration being forced to remove his tint.

too were breaking the law by owning heavily tinted cars. Watts is attempting to break this cycle in Region Three with his motto “We are the example.” “We are not above the laws of Guyana and we have to set the correct example in order to win back the trust and

confidence from the public. This is very necessary for us to win the battle against crime and traffic lawlessness on our roads daily”, he said. His advice to his fellow ranks is to lead from the front so that when civilians see them they would respect and listen to them.

CXC will not postpone 2021 exams, reduces practical work instead The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) will not be postponing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations scheduled for next year – usually, the examinations are held between May/June annually. This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Friday on the “Wake Up Guyana” radio programme. Manickchand said that the Council issued a release on Thursday making it clear that they will not be shifting the examination or the level of difficulty. She also lamented that WANTED Akaash People's Variety Lot 4 Robb street, Porters & Manager needed Tel#223-5897 Dollar Stretch Variety Store Lot 16 Robb street, Porters & Manager needed Tel#2235897 SSW Variety Store Lot 20 Regent & Hinck street, Porters & Manager needed Tel#2235897

they will not be reducing the number of subjects being tested. According to the Education Minister, CXC in their release contended that they need to ensure the students who sit the examinations in 2021 graduate with the same kind of skill as those in the previous years, following the Council’s standard. Even though CXC will not be making the aforementioned adjustments Manickchand highlighted that there were a few changes made for next year’s examinations. Among these changes was the reduction in the number of practical assignments/ School-Based Assessments (SBAs) which adds to the students’ overall score. She explained that CXC has changed the number of assignments for Physics, Biology and Chemistry from 16 to eight, those for Family and Resource Management moved from 13 to six and those for Integrated Science moved from 22 to eight. “There are less practical subjects, less practical experiments needed, but the sylla-

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand bus is not going to be interfered with or reduced in anyway,” Manickchand maintained. In light of this, she stressed the need for students to be in their face-to-face classes, defending the physical reopening of schools on November 9. She said that since the timeline will not change significantly and the syllabus is not being reduced, students will need to utilize the classroom to cover as much work as possible. Before November 9, students were engaged in online

learning via the ZOOM application, Google Classrooms and even WhatsApp, but this was not efficient for completing their syllabi as previously reported by this newspaper. The November 9 reopening was strictly for Grades 10, 11 and 12 students who will be sitting the CSEC and CAPE exams next year. It served to provide them with face-to-face classes with the intention of having their SBAs and Internal Assessments (IAs) completed and submitted promptly as well as have them more focused. Many were in doubt about the physical reopening, but it was approved by the Ministry of Health in their official gazette of COVID-19 measures for the month of November and many teachers had complained that it was difficult completing SBAs And IAs at home. The teachers said that many of their students lacked stable internet connection and most of them who had stable internet simply lacked focus, thus, the physically reopening combated both issues.

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Monday December 07, 2020

Residents concerned about construction of plant shop at entrance to Pigeon Island The plant shop that was constructed at the entranced of Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara.

In a letter addressed to Ministers Juan Edghill, Anand Persaud, Nigel Dharamlall and the Chairman of the Better Hope/Success/ LBI NDC, Zaman Shaw, the residents of Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara, have expressed their concerns regarding the construction of a plant shop at the entrance of the community. In the letter the residents highlighted their concerns about the construction of the plant shop and noted that no consultation was held with them before the project commenced construction. They stated, “We, the residents of Pigeon Island, write to you to express our dissatisfaction at the commencement of construction of a structure which appears to be for the purpose of a plant shop.” The letter stated, that two residents in the community already have plant businesses, and allowing another person to construct a plant shop will affect those residents’ income. On Wednesday morning, one of the residents confronted the man building the plant shop, who in return indicated that he was given permission by the “highest authority” and

became abusive and declared that “no powers in Guyana can stop him.” Kaieteur News was told by a resident that on that same day, workers from the Guyana Water Incorporation (GWI) visited the area and inquired who was building there. According to the resident, the plant shop is built on a GWI control valve which will restrain GWI employees from having access to the valve when needed. The residents believe that if damages occur, not only the residents of Pigeon Island will be affected, but also Chateau Margot, Success and LBI will be without water, “until taxpayers’ money is diverted to fix.” Another concern raised in the letter, is the history of the plant shop when it was at Agriculture Road, East Coast Demerara. The letter noted that a dwelling house was attached to that plant shop and the residents of Pigeon Island believes that if that happens in their community it will cause “degradation and unsightliness” at the only entrance to the community, which can result in their property values decreasing

Combined efforts needed to ... From page 15 situation from being exposed and addressed.” Further, the Minister said that COVID-19 pandemic has kept many women in proximity to their abusers and reporting has become challenging. Urging persons to join the activism, Minister Persaud stressed that the fight to end violence against women and girls is one of the longest and hardest challenges faced, not only by Guyana, but the entire world. “Our stance together will create an umbrella of protection for legions of women. We must be the hope for children so that they will not have to live without the love of their mothers and we must be the conscience of a coun-

try that will not tolerate an iota of violence against women,” she said, adding: “Our campaign needs every one of you to implement the zero-tolerance policy for violence against women.” The Minister further stated that acts of violence inflicted on women and girls are heinous crimes which are a pervasive breach of human rights and should be condemned by all.“While we struggle to find the solution, women continue to cower in fear, tell doctors that they fell down the stairs to explain injuries from merciless beatings as lawyers and case workers should continue to plead with them to stay away from their perpetrators,” the Minister added.

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Two more COVID-19 fatalities pushes death toll to 153 The Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday recorded two more COVID-19 fatalities, pushing the country’s death toll to 153 deaths. In their release the MOH revealed the deceased persons as an 81 -year-old male from Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) and a 55year-old male from Region One (BarimaWaini), who both died while receiving treatment at a medical facility. The Ministry also recorded 28 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, taking the total

tremendously. According to the letter, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had also raised concerns about the chemicals that were being sprayed at the plant shop while it was at the Agriculture Road location, not only affecting the residents but also a popular food joint, Pizza Hut that is nearby. The residents also stated in the letter, that their community is primarily residential, and not an agricultural development one. Additionally, during a phone call with Kaieteur News, one of the residents explained that, “The roof and mesh were already set up…plants are already in the shop and the grand opening should be tomorrow [today].” He added that since concerns were raised about the plant shop, Minister Dharamlall commented and said that he would look into the issue and since then no other Minister or officials addressed their concerns. The resident stated, “Friday, I called the Minister of Public Works’ office and his secretary said that Minister Edghill hadn’t even collected the letter from her desk up to now.”

number of confirmed cases to 5,665 as indicated in their daily dashboard update. The dashboard also states that 697 persons are in approved home isolation, 52 are in institutional isolation, 29 are in institutional quarantine and four are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at the Liliendaal Infectious Disease Hospital. To date 4,759 persons have recovered and 32,011 persons have been tested for the virus countrywide.

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‘Cuss out’ claims as tempers boil over on UNC election day Trinidad Express - Tempered flared and a ‘cuss out’ allegedly happened as tensions grew on the United National Congress (UNC) internal election day. UNC councillor for Aranguez/Warner Village Amit Sooknanan claimed that UNC leadership contender Vasant Bharath told him to “F*** off” after he (Sooknanan) confronted Bharath about wearing a Tshirt with his “Lotus” voting symbol on it. There are two slates the Lotus team by Bharath and the Star team led by incumbent leader Kamla PersadBissessar. Bharath categorically denied that he cursed Sooknanan and said it was the Star members who were behaving badly. Sooknanan speaking to the Express by phone said just before 8 a.m. he went into

the Aranguez Community Centre at Mehalal Street where he saw Bharath wearing a UNC jersey with the lotus symbol. He said he immediately confronted Bharath and told him he can’t do that and he also alerted the presiding officer. “I told Mr Bharath that what he is doing is wrong and to avoid any issue I told him let us both exit the polling station,” he said. Sooknanan claimed Bharath began “throwing slangs”.He said Bharath left the but returned shortly after with his wife who was also wearing the lotus symbol. Sooknanan said he confronted Bharath again and reiterated he cannot be wearing symbols and influencing votes. “He cursed me when he came outside, I told him he should know better being a

senior member of the UNC, he pulled down his mask and told me to F*** off” said Sooknanan. He said at this point tensions increased and members of the Star team did become rowdy as Bharath threw insults. “I had to hold back a lot of people because they wanted to fight and confront this abuse,” he said. Sooknanan said he is disappointed that Bharath would behave in such a manner as he’s aspiring to lead the party. Bharath said the sequence of events as outlined by Sooknanan are not true. “I didn’t curse him. I was there this morning and they started to make a lot of noise regarding me wearing my Lotus T-shirt and I said to them there’s nothing either in the UNC Constitution of the party nor in the election rules that prohibits anyone from wearing anything. I could wear red, green, blue, a short with a horse... there is nothing that prevents us from wearing it and they started to

get on,” said Bharath in a telephone interview with the Express. He said he never used expletives but he did indicate that he was not breaking any rules by wearing the Lotus

symbol. Bharath said it was the Star team who became confrontational.“They were starting to misbehave and get on and started to shout in the background and so on. I con-

tinued to speak to the media and then afterwards I walked off, of course I didn’t curse him but I may have said to him ‘look this is why the PNM is in this condition that it is in’ and that’s it,” he said.

Kendallz Extreme Sports: Aiming to elevate... From page 11 Kaieteur News, he stated that he first began by procuring paintballing equipment which later evolved into him providing the paintballing experience locally. He established his first location in Georgetown, where persons could play paintball in small groups with a given time slot. This catered for mostly corporate events to help companies exercise event planning skills and internal training. It functioned for years and was well received by those entities, but Heinz felt the need to expand further, which is when he came up with the idea of creating an out of town campsite to take paintballing to the “next level”.

That campsite which has been making waves allowed persons to play paintball in a forested area, increasing competitiveness and the liveliness of the activity. But it was still catering for corporate events, Heinz said. That campsite allowed the company to provide services to the Guyana Defence Force who used it as a training experience for their troops as well as many organizations and bodies. Only a year ago Heinz decided to focus on the recreational aspect of the paintballing experience which led to him opening up the campsite to families and other groups of persons looking for a getaway from the hassles of life and engage in competitive but recreational paintballing. The campsite, Heinz said, is around 60 acres, and allows for not only paintballing but other activities like volleyball, cricket, obstacle courses and even a campfire setting where persons can bush cook and relax if they do not wish to engage in the paintballing. “We have made it more than a one-size fit. Sometimes families will go and not everyone wants to play paintball so we made sure there were things to keep everyone occupied,” he shared. He described it as the perfect family retreat where persons can engage in all-day activities and be extremely satisfied with the service being offered. The campsite also has little to no cellular service, bolstering social engagement and cuts persons off from the “outside world”. He noted that his biggest challenge was raising the awareness of paintballing lo-

cally, as many Guyanese never saw it as a real sport. This pushed him to work assiduously to have it registered as an official sport in Guyana, however, to date he is still trying to have the regular authorities do so. Despite this, his long term goal is to not only have it recognized as an official sport locally, but he would also like to see the competitive scale being lifted by hosting tournaments locally and have properly trained paintball players representing Guyana internationally. Heinz has already begun talks with regional paintball service providers and he noted that he also has affiliates as far as Dubai hoping to assist in elevating the sport even further in Guyana. He believes that what he pioneered can contribute to a boost in local tourism and light of that he will be adding much more to Kendallz Extreme

Sports’ portfolio. According to Heinz, they will soon introduce a canopy zipline which will be the first in Guyana, an indoor skydiving facility and they will also be establishing

new campsites in Linden and Bartica to ensure more Guyanese access their services. As he awaits his grant to provide an even wider array of services he is positive he can make a mark in the local sports arena and will continue at aiming to provide top tier services to the citizens of Guyana. Persons who wish to secure Kendallz Extreme Sports’ services can access additional information on social media platforms by searching their handle kendallzextremesportsgy.

World Bank says it should have... From page 3 public while the high cost being paid for the first natural gas supplies, in conjunction with the perception of a punitive ‘take or pay’ contract, left the impression of an investment benefitting only the private oil consortium.” It said that its supervision teams had endeavored to work with the government on ensuring the initial gas supplies from the Sankofa field would be fully utilized. The Bank posited that there was a need to complete a pipeline interconnector to expand the demand market for the Sankofa gas and ensure sufficient offtake capacity in place by the completion of the project. The Bank said that it

noted this issue in multiple documents, and that a gas interconnector was eventually completed in April 2019, which expanded the domestic market. It made arguments, it said, that power sector reform in Ghana and the financial turnaround of two energy offtake utility companies in Ghana posed risks to the Sankofa project outcome, up to its 2018 completion. The Bank also argued that public criticism of the Sankofa project resulted in pressure on the government to alternatively invest in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports which the Bank says would exacerbate the country’s growing indebtedness.

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Sergio Perez claims maiden win as Mercedes error costs George Russell BBC Sport - Racing Point’s Sergio Perez took his first Formula 1 victory in the Sakhir Grand Prix as Mercedes fumbled what should have been a debut win for George Russell. The 22-year-old Briton, standing in for Lewis Hamilton after the world champion contracted coronavirus, was on his way to an accomplished victory before a late-race safety car. Mercedes did not have to pit their cars, but chose to do so in what was intended to be a safety decision. But they put the wrong tyres on Russell’s car and then could not fit a new set to that of his team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who had to have his old tyres fitted back on to his car. Russell had to stop again

the next time around to fit a correct set, and the Mercedes were now down in fourth and fifth places, Bottas ahead. Russell could still have won the race, but a puncture when he was trying to chase down Perez sent him to the back. He carved his way back up to ninth for his first F1 points, but that will be scant reward after such drama. It was a remarkable drive by Perez, who had to pit at the end of the first lap after being hit by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at Turn Four. But the Mexican, who does not yet have a seat next season, drove a superb race, carving up through the field and was set for a brilliant third place before Mercedes hit trouble. Renault’s Esteban Ocon took second for his first F1

podium finish, with Lance Stroll joining Racing Point team-mate Perez on the podium. A terrible twist for Russell It was an agonising day for Russell, who has impressed enormously on his debut for Mercedes. Russell missed out on pole position by just 0.026 seconds but took the lead at the first corner after making a better start than Bottas. Russell controlled the race from there and was on course for a comfortable victory before Mercedes fumbled what should have been another one-two finish. Russell led through what was intended to be Mercedes’ only pit stop and was five seconds clear of Bottas when Jack Aitken -

Monday December 07, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If you're involved with the arts, the day ahead will be a bright one for you, Aries. You feel a strong desire to bring people together in pursuit of some artistic endeavor. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today you can expect to have some disagreements with your partner or friend, Taurus. You may overreact. If you do, it's only because the climate of the last few days has made you feel more vulnerable than usual. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you will be confrontational, Gemini. This comes after several weeks of holding yourself back from openly criticizing other people. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You must be wondering what in the world is going on? On the one hand, you have humanistic and harmonious thoughts about your family and work environment.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't hesitate to speak up for what is right, Libra, even if it means confronting someone with power. So be it. The slightest injustice can't be tolerated. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Scorpio, no one has ever accused you of being overly diplomatic. In fact, since you have no compunction about saying what you think, your mouth regularly gets you into trouble. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) There's some likelihood you'll become irritated with someone close to you today, Sagittarius. Just who do they think they are, anyway? CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Something's gotten into you today, Capricorn. An iconoclastic imp inside you is determined to tear down every convention, especially in the

art world. Why are you so furious with orthodoxy?

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may be planning for the future, Leo, yet find yourself needing to make choices that will resonate far beyond the next few months.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) If you're involved in an occupation similar to that of your mother or father, Aquarius, today you may question if the choice was yours or preordained. Did you take this career path of your own volition?

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22) You can expect to be volatile today, Virgo! No one will dare contradict you or insinuate that you've taken your ideas from others. You have the potential to get really angry.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Most people form their opinions on the basis of what they're told by a few people who supposedly know what they're talking about. Certain ideas become fashionable.

only racing because of Russell’s temporary switch to Mercedes - spun his Williams at the last corner and took off its front wing against the barrier and the safety car was deployed. Mercedes chose to bring the cars in together, with the intention of fitting new medium tyres so they were not vulnerable at the re-start. But a radio communications problem meant a mixed set of tyres was fitted to Russell’s car - he had Bottass fronts and his own rears - and he had to come in again the next time around to rectify the mistake. Bottas was stacked behind Russell in the pits, and the team could not get his new left-front tyre on his car. As the brakes started to flame, the team had to re-fit the previous set to his car. When the race re-started, Russell quickly passed Bottas after the Finn made a mistake and ran wide at Turn

Four, Russell getting alongside through Five and Six and passing into the chicane. He then picked off Stroll and Ocon and was trying to erase Perez’s lead when he was told he had a left rear puncture. “I don’t know what to say,” he said on the radio. His engineer said he shared his feelings. Bottas was struggling on his used tyres and actually lost places to slower cars behind on fresher tyres, slipping back to eighth at the finish, only one place ahead of Russell.He was passed by McLaren’s Carlos Sainz, who took fourth, Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo and Red Bull’s Alex Albon, whose seat Perez is hoping to be given in 2021. Perez looked to be out of contention after Leclerc looked up in an ambitious move down his inside on the first lap, an incident that also took out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who avoided the

collision but then crashed on his own after going into the gravel trap. But he drove a remarkable race to carve back up through the field, not pitting again until lap 48, by which time he was up to third place. That put him back down to ninth place, but again he set about the cars in front, passing Stroll and Ocon, as well as benefiting as strategies played out in front of him, and was back up to third when the safety car came out. “I am a little bit speechless,” he said. “I hope I am not dreaming because I dream so many years being in this moment - 10 years it took me, I don’t know what to say. Incredible; after the start I thought the race was again gone but it was all about not giving up and recovering. “The luck has not been with us this year but we won the race on merit. Yes, the Mercedes had some issues but we had the pace to hold George.”

Jason Holder: It’s time we... From page 26 There’s a lot of things we need to look at, we need answers and we need them quickly.” West Indies will play their second and final Test of this series from December 11 in Wellington, but they are likely to be without two men who were part of their XI for the first Test. Kemar Roach is set to fly back to West Indies, having lost his father two days before the first Test started, while Shane Dowrich is a doubtful starter. Dowrich picked up a finger injury on the first day while keeping, and didn’t bat in either innings. “Kemar, thankfully for us he pushed through this Test match but I think he’ll be going home after this to be with his family,” Holder said. “Shane, we’re not quite sure the extent of his finger injury at the moment. He’s been complaining of a lot of pain. Looking pretty doubtful for the second Test as well, but we’ve just got to assess for the next couple of days.” With Dowrich absent on the second day, Shamarh Brooks took the gloves for West Indies. They have the uncapped 22-year-old Joshua Da Silva in the Test squad as the reserve wicketkeeper. A left-field option they could consider is Nicholas Pooran, who is also in New Zealand with the West Indies A side. Pooran made 46 and 35 in a four-day match against New Zealand A, while Da Silva kept wickets.

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Monday December 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

Hing & Hpkinson leads Team Orinduik to victory over TSU Orinduik Development Inc. & Aquafina Practical Pistol Challenge

G

uyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Smallbore Section Captain, Dale Hing and master marksman Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson spearheaded a powerful performance by Team Orinduik which outshot Team TSU (Tactical Service Unit) to win the Orinduik Development Inc. & Aquafina Practical Pistol Challenge sponsored 9mm shoot on Saturday last at the TSU Range, Eve Leary. In what was described as a welcome return to competitive action following a long layoff as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, which is still presenting a serious challenge in Guyana and

around the world, Hing shot his way to victory in all four ranges to lead a perfect display; tallying 355 points along with 6Vs in a commanding performance. The tested, tried and proven Hopkinson, who placed 4th overall, continues to hold his own and provided excellent back up for Hing with 320 points overall and 2Vs as Team Orinduik tallied 1599 points to TSU’s 1465. Leading TSU in the four range contest were the overall 2nd and 3rd place shooters, D a v i d McPherson (333 points & 1v) and Rudyard Thomas (328 points & 1v). Following is the full results of Saturday’s shoot.

Members of both Team Orinduik and Team TSU take time out for a group pic following combat on Saturday last at the TSU Range, Eve Leary.

W/Dem Masters, W/Dem Mavericks, Jai... From page 25 reached double figures as former Essequibo left-hander Elroy Stephen, Travis Simon and Premauth Persaud took two wickets each for Reliance who replied with 69-8 in 14 overs.Nobody from Reliance reached 15 as Sohan Bedesse had 4-4, while Mohan Chaitram took 2-18 to help West Demerara Mavericks to qualify for Friday’s semi-final. In the afternoon game Regal Masters defeated West Berbice by nine wickets to book their semi-final place. In Berbice at the Jai Hind ground, Bel Air Rubis Ultra Tec made 127-8 from their 20 overs with Arthur Duke leading the way with 46. He

was supported by Oslyn Batson (26) and Richard Ramdeen (22). Narine Deonarine and Deoprakash Ramdat had two wickets each for Jai Hind Jaguars who responded with 128-4 in 17.2 overs to win by four wickets as Imran Hussain led the chase with an attractive 45. Kemraj Sumir who ended on 39 not out and the inform former Berbice 50-over InterCounty left-hander Anil Beharry who clobbered four fours and two massive sixes in an unbeaten 29, added 42 in 16 balls to ensure Jai Hind Jaguars waltzed into Friday’s semi-finals as the only unbeaten team. The winners of the semi-finals will faceoff in the grand finale on Saturday.

Clivecia Spencer – Linden Bauxite Flyers CC

By Franklin Wilson Briton John of We Stand United Cycle Club (WSUCC) turned the tables on his rivals to win the second leg of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Speed Sunday Time Trials series which was contested in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden yesterday and organised in conjunction with the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club (LBFCC). John, who placed third in the first leg which was held in the City two weeks ago, made sure he took the top podium spot this time around, covering the 13.5 mile route from KD&J Supermarket, Amelia’s Ward Public Road to Moblissa Hill and back in 32:34:00. First leg 2nd placed rider, Team Coco’s Jamual John (34:08:00) matched that performance while first leg winner Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams of Team Evolution (34:30:00) had

to settle for the last podium position. There was also a changing of the guards for the top two spots in the junior category between WSUCC’s juvenile riders, Aaron Newton who won ahead of Alex Leung who had won the first leg. This time however, Newton won the 8.5 mile contest from the same starting point to Bamia Hill and back in 24:08:00 with Leung covering the distance in 24:11:00. Flying Ace Cycle Club’s Mario Washington took 3rd place in 25:20:00. The Female segment, which covered a similar distance as the juniors, saw LFBCC’s Clivecia Spencer claiming the top position in 26:38:00. Second was Suzanne Hamilton (Unattached) in 28:38:00 followed by Team Evolution’s Denise Jeffrey (29:29:00). Segon Hubbard (Team Evolution) took the Veterans seg-

ment in a time of 36:18:00 with Alex Mendes (Roraima Cycling Club) second in 37:00:00 and Kwame Ridley (Unattached) 37:37:00, third; covering the same distance as the seniors. Cash prizes (1st to 3rd) were presented to the seniors - $15,000, $10,000, $5,000; juniors - $8,000, $6,000, $4,000; veterans $8,000, $6,000, $4,000 and females - $8,000, $6,000, $4,000. Sponsors for yesterday’s event were KD&J Supermarket, Bolo’s Variety & Furniture Store, Ele’s Trading & Hardware, Benard’s Variety Store, Well Point Service Station, Country Grill, Semple & Sons Hardware & Variety Store, O&O Construction Service and Sandgate Hardware. The third and final leg of the series is set for this Sunday in the Ancient County of Berbice.

Alex Leung We Stand United CC

Monday December 07, 2020

By Sean Devers An entertaining 61 from burly left-handed Elroy Fernandes spurred West Demerara Masters to an imposing 174-7 in 20 overs yesterday at Everest to spearhead his team to an emphatic 90-run win against Imam Bacchus Bulls to book a place in Friday’s semi-final. Fernandes, who faced 48 balls and hit five sixes and three fours added 80 from the last 7.4 overs with Deoram Persaud (18) after Ramesh Thakur (27), Patrick Khan (23) and Sudesh Persaud (13) had contributed double-figure scores. Fazeer Khan had 2-13 for Essequibo qualifiers, Imam Bacchus Bulls, who were bowled out for 84 in 19.4 overs as only Roopnarine Ramnarine reached 20 as Boodram Sugrim (3-12) and Steve Haripaul 2-18, were the architects of destruction from the West side unit. Earlier, in sunny condition, West Demerara Masters won the toss and elected to bat and Prahalae Singh played an uppish drive to backward point off the first ball from Punaraj Singh as Imam Bacchus Bulls struck immediately. As dark ominous clouds began to gather again, Seenarine Mathura joined Thakur in overcast conditions on a slow track and heavy outfield and with the sun playing hide and seek behind the cotton wool like

Ramesh Thakur made 27 clouds with floated lazily over the Everest sward. The pair consolidated the position with Thakur delightfully on-driving off Singh for the game’s first boundary in the third over before dumping Khan for six over long-on in the next over. Khan soon struck when he uprooted Mathura’s (3) leg stump at 16-2 in the fourth over and without addition to the score, Ganesh Persaud charged Khan and was bowled for a duck in the same

Patrick Khan made a shot-filled 23. over. Thakur then slashed a full wide ball to the backward point boundary off Singh who generated fair pace for his age. Thakur’s confidence increased as his innings progressed and he stroked Khan back over his head, onebounce into the Sightscreen. Chabbiraj Ramcharran pulled a long-hop from Andy Ramnarine and was taken at short mid-wicket to leave West Demerara Masters on 33-4.

Entries for MSC logo competition close on Wednesday Matarkai Sports Council is asking all budding artist and artist to submit a logo as the logo competition deadline has now been extended to Wednesday. MSC would like to acknowledge its sponsors. The prizes are as follows; 1st prize 25,000 and a trophy, 2nd prize 15,000 and a trophy and 3rd prize 10,000 and a trophy. The competition is being sponsored by International Imports and Supply, Fran Store and Variety, Sunshine Lady Enterprise, Fine man workshop, Brian Thomas, Andre Gamell Harry Barber Shop, Melanie Leung De Oliveira, Eon Phillips, Delon Spare Parts and Mining Equipment, Neighbourhood Democratic Council(NDC) and Five Sister’s hotel. CRITERIA FOR MSC LOGO COMPETITION: 1. That the competition be open for submission of a logo, a art work generally.

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Kaieteur News

MSC Chairman Micquel Perez accepts a prize from one of the sponsors. 2. That Guyana Coat of Arms be included in the submission. 3. That the name of the Council be included in the submission. 4. That all the areas of the Council (Sports) be represented in the submission. State your name and telephone numbers when you’re submitting logos.

Logos must be submitted to Matarkai Sports Council facebook page. Logos can also be sent on whatsapp to Mr. Linden Green Secretary of MSC on 603-5369. All logos will be published on December 13 to December 15 on MSC facebook page where members of the public will cast their votes.

Elroy Fernandes (left) and Deoram Persaud added 80 from 7.2 overs in their unfinished 7th wicket stand. Sudesh Persaud pulled a high full toss for six and lofted the ‘free hit’ over the long-off boundary but then, attempting a third six, was taken at long-on as he gifted Lakeram Persaud his wicket at 52-5 in

the ninth over. Fernandes swept former Essequibo batsman Denish Joseph for four before Joseph trapped Thakur LBW for 27 which was decorated five fours and three sixes.

Thakur’s demise left the score at 65-6 but Patrick Khan, who came out with all guns blazing, pulled a high full toss from Joseph, missed the ‘free hit’ and clobbered a six and a four off successive balls in an over which cost 20. Khan hit Gansham Deonarine for six but was then bowled for 23 with two sixes and a couple of fours to leave the score on 94-7 in the 13th over. Fernandes kept going and hammered Ramesh Gopaul for consecutive boundaries; the second going onto the Lawn Tennis Court; before pulling Deonarine for a four and a six in the next over. Fernandes who reached his 50 with a six over long- off from 34 balls, and Deoram Persaud who hit Deonarine for six in the last over, featured in an unbroken eight wicket stand to see their past the 170 mark. Meanwhile at Enmore, West Demerara Mavericks beat Reliance by 24 runs after making 93-7 in a game reduced to 14 overs. Lalta Suknanan top scored with an unbeaten 45 but only David Alert (14) (Continued on page 24)

More composed Blackwood credits trust in pre-match preparation for 104 against New Zealand SportsMax - Jermaine Blackwood has credited better composure, greater confidence as well as pre-match preparation for helping him score his second Test century on Saturday. Blackwood scored 104, his first century in five years as he an Alzarri Joseph, who produced a career-best 86, put on an outstanding 155-run seventh-wicket partnership that was more than half the West Indies total of 247. Despite the heavy loss of an innings and 134 runs, the 29-year-old middle order batsman said he was happy to have been able to score a century for his team. In 32 Tests, Blackwood has been dismissed in the 90s on three separate occasions. In October 2015, he was out for 92 against Sri Lanka. Against Pakistan he was dismissed for 95 in October 2016 and this past summer, in July he was out for 95 against England. On Saturday, he said, he was ready to go all the way. “This time it was less pressure. I felt less pressure this time around when I was in the 90s. I was more confident in myself that I could get the job done, and to be able to score

Jermaine Blackwood

a hundred for myself and my team, it’s a very good feeling,” Blackwood said after the match, adding that he put the necessary work it to be able to achieve this milestone. “I worked hard and I trusted my preparation because I think my preparation was good leading into the series.” He thanked the West Indies coaching staff whom he said helped him prepare for the conditions that confronted him when the West Indies went into bat after New Zealand had made 519 for 7 on a green pitch at Seddon Park in Hamilton. “(They) kept feeding me

a lot of short balls, good length deliveries. You can see out in the middle I am more comfortable to the short stuff as well so it’s a good sign going forward,” he said. He said he was not intimidated by the nature of the pitch as he was used to similar type of pitches back home in Jamaica. “I play on a lot of bouncy tracks at Sabina Park, so to come and see this green track it didn’t faze me too much,” he said. “I just think to stay positive, the right frame of mind, try to play the ball as late as possible, watch the ball and play each ball on its merit.”

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Kaieteur News

Monday December 07, 2020

Jason Holder: It’s time we started delivering and stopped talking ESPNcricinfo - West Indies’ captain Jason Holder has called on his team-mates, particularly the batsmen, to “look in the mirror” following their heaviest defeat against New Zealand in the first Test, by an innings and 134 runs. West Indies were bowled out for 138 and 247 on a Seddon Park surface that saw New Zealand rack up 519 for 7 despite losing the toss and being sent in. The second innings was rescued from a collapse by a 155-run stand for the seventh wicket between

Jermaine Blackwood (104) and Alzarri Joseph (86), but apart from them, no West Indies batsman crossed 30 across two innings. The top five totalled 100 runs between them across two innings and Holder didn’t mince words at the postmatch presentation, saying the top order needed to stand up. “I think it’s time we start delivering and stopped talking,” Holder said. “We’ve talked a lot, we’ve promised a lot. I think it’s a matter for us

to all look ourselves in the mirror and understand that we’ve got to fight a little harder. We’re just probably throwing the towel in too easily, just being honest. We’ve just got to turn it around and only we can do it. We’ve had brilliant support from this management and staff, they’ve put everything in place. It’s just for us to live up to it. “Credit to Jermaine Blackwood and Alazarri Joseph to bring some respectability towards our batting,

but quite frankly our top order just needs to stand up.” One of the tasks Holder had of his batsmen was to be prepared to shelve certain shots early in their innings, and sell their wickets more dearly. “In all honesty, we’re still scratching our heads,” he said. “Leading up to the first Test, I felt the preparation was good. I think our preparation has always been really good. It’s just trying to send it out into the Test circuit. We had two solid warm-up games in

Jason Holder reflects on West Indies’ performance against England© Getty Images Queenstown. Albeit the surfaces were a little bit different to what we’ve come up against here in Hamilton, but I still think a little bit more application needs to be shown, particularly up front. I think up front we’ve got to work a little bit harder. “We’ve seen how the New Zealand bowlers, like any other bowlers in the

world, they tend to get flat as partnerships build. We just need to be able to understand that, fight a lot harder, keep them out there a little bit longer. Even if we give up one or two scoring shots that we feel as though we can count on to pounce on early. The longer you spend (at the crease) the easier it becomes. (Continued on page 23)

Kenya’s Kandie smashes half marathon world record in Valencia

Kibiwott Kandie of Kenya crosses the finish line after passing Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo at the last moment to win the annual “Sao Silvestre Run”, an international race through the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil December 31, 2019. (REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli) (Reuters) - Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie smashed the half marathon world record by 29 seconds yesterday, becoming the first person to break 58 minutes at the Valencia Half Marathon. Kandie, who finished second at the world half marathon championships in Gdynia in October, finished the Spanish annual race in 57 minutes and 32 seconds, breaking the previous record of 58:01 set by compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor in September 2019. “I can’t believe it, I have beaten Kamworor’s world record by half a minute,” Kandie said. “Today is a great day for me and also for Kenya.”The top four men all

ran under the previous world best, with Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda finishing second in 57:37, Kenyan Rhonex Kipruto third in 57:49 and Kenyan Alexander Mutiso taking fourth place in 57:59. Kandie, 24, led the chasing pack, which included reigning world champion Kiplimo, through the 15kilometre mark in 41:10. The pair traded the lead over the next six km before Kandie made the decisive move, to finish more than a minute off his previous personal best of 58:37. Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba won the women’s race in 1:05:18, setting the fastest time for a debut over the distance.

Monday December 07, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Allicock added to Solidarity fund G u y a n e s e Bantamweight Boxer Keevin Allicock has been added to the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA). Allicock started the scholarship on September 1, 2020, and it will run until August 31, 2021, just after the conclusion of the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It is worth US$500 per month.

Narayan Ramdhani, Troy Doris, Winston George, Aliyah Abrams, Andrea Foster, Brenessa Thompson, Kadecia Baird, Chelsea Edghill and Shemar Britton were the initial recipients of the scholarship, which started in May 2018. GOA Treasurer Garfield Wiltshire explained that Allicock was nominated from the inception to be on the scholarship, but there

was an issue with AIBA (International Boxing Association) and the International Olympic Committee, which caused him not to be granted. H o w e v e r, Wi l t s h i r e explained Baird was replaced from the programme due to “issues with her reporting” which paved the way for Allicock to be the replacement. K.A. Juman-Yassin,

Boxer Keevin Allicock collects a cheque from GOA’s Assistant Treasurer Tricia Fiedtkou in the presence of other GOA executives, GBA President and his coach.

GOA President, indicated that though the scholarship runs until August, if he does not qualify for the Games in May or July, it will end at that point. Allicock in response thanked the GOA for the support and said it is a “blessing to him” and will help him focus on the qualifiers. Allicock is expected to compete in Argentina in May

for a chance to qualify. He is currently ranked 19th by

AIBA in the 56kg weight category.

GCF Speed Sundays Time Trials – Linden Leg

Briton John (Senior), Aaron Newton (Junior), Clivecia Spencer (Female), Segon Hubbard (Veterans) win respective categories Briton John We Stand United CC

t r o Sp

Aaron Newton We Stand United CC

Hing & Hpkinson leads Team Orinduik to victory over TSU Orinduik Development Inc. & Aquafina Practical Pistol Challenge A proud Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson holds the winning trophy in the presence of the victorious Team Orinduik. Captain Dale Hing is at left.

GCB/Tropical Springs O-40 T20 Cricket...W/Dem Masters, W/Dem

Mavericks, Jai Hind, Regal Mastersreach semis

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