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AIETEUR

Cubans in limbo at Suriname border… Wednesday Edition

Govt. cancels plans to restart Moleson - engages Creek ferry operations ambassador

NEWS

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

December 09, 2020 - Vol. 15 No.47

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 108,430

Govt. wants to indebt

Guyana more with US$30M IDB loan - despite getting US$30M last month Teens charged Review of Guyana’s Curfew-breaking party goers with rape of outdated oil laws fined; accused - fmr. AG Anand Bartica girl, 7 long overdue Goolsarran hostess on bail

for C VID-19

Oil money must not be used to line pockets of the privileged while small man collects crumbs- Ram Berbice market

Woman, 74, visiting grandkids vendor robbed, in Venezuela, dies after raped in early morning attack being run over by speedboat

ExxonMobil says it won’t recover $2.7B donations Oil contract renegotiation can happen! Hear about it on the Glenn Lall show ...11:00am today on 99.1/99.5FM Kaieteur Radio (Rebroadcast)

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Kaieteur News

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 Vastness of Guyanese Corruptions Democracy, transparency, and accountability are today’s watchwords making spirited rounds before anyone who would listen, those who actually believe. They thrill in the mere utterance, no matter how faked, how not intended to be delivered. But what is ever-present and delivered in the places that count are the corruptions that wash over this country in both public and private sector, and by the greatest margin in the former.

A huge haul of cocaine in Belgium relays so much of what is wrong about this society, what makes it tick, what fastens with irremovable hold on institutions like the GRA. It has a sprawling range of responsibilities, a great reach into many activities where money matters the most. And money talks profusely. Just like in the similarly sprawling Guyana Police Force.

In the specific instance of that double-digit tonnes bust of cocaine, so much has come to light, with still much more still unknown or under the lock of due process. That it happened under the scrutiny of the GRA is not surprising.

And this is despite the herculean efforts of its present Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, who must be counting his days before he goes from this nightmarish place.

Of course, there are those, who chafed under his iron rule, and who would be just as glad to see him go soonest.

For then, a political appointment can take the reins and the floodgates of fortune open. There would not have to be any need for all of these excruciating steps of covering up and administrative passwords pointing to corruptions at very senior levels. Indeed, the stricter the government, the wiser the working population. In case anyone missed that, the slicker and dirtier is what we mean.

The GRA, with its oversight into the lucrative worlds of income tax and customs duties, has long been a hothouse of sophisticated maneuvers. In the old days, things were centered around paper and pencil, and the tricky accounting and standing practices made possible. A lot of men got extremely rich from such shenanigans. They have the trophies-houses, cars, and stashes-standing as mouthwatering evidence of their brazen success. This can be said for both tainted public servants on the inside of the GRA, as well as their partners in crime in the private sector or simply private citizens with a certain strain of business to conduct. GRA exploits are now the stuff of legend and make deceptive Guyana’s elections look like so much child’s play.

Then along came Commissioner-General Statia and his highfalutin ideas about ASYCUDA and the good it can do for this country. Unfortunately, what is good for Guyana is bad for the kind of business contemplated by many citizens.

The howls of protest made it all the way to the roof, without any retreat from the top of the GRA. Accordingly, something had to give; and in this age of technology and computers, the layers of protections and quests for greater integrity in the performance of the nation’s business that meant infiltration and access. That, in turn, led to where things stand delicately poised. Passwords misuse at high levels have come under the spotlight.

The issue is no longer who did what, but more of how long they have been running an underground network dedicated to bypassing systems of oversight and controls, and damage they have done. To state in a different way, this would be how many got off with a free pass, or lightly, and how much criminality of the nature of that drug bust occurred undetected. It goes without saying that such infiltration and access at rarefied levels cost an arm and a leg. But, is also commonsense that obtaining free and quiet passage for in excess of 11 tonnes of cocaine, or half of anything of that weight, has to be paid for with oceans of cold, hard cash.Most Guyanese would take the risk of comprising themselves-career, family, reputation, and prospects-for the kind of cash that such temptations deliver.

In terms of prospects, they would be no less than rosy, since heavy prices would have been demanded and paid.

In such contexts, passwords have little meaning, less security. And that is where we are today.

Wednesday December 09, 2020

WHO LOOKED OUT FOR US? DEAR EDITOR, The caption captivated: “David Granger authorized Orinduik oil block deal Raphael Trotman” (KN December 7). If the caption captivated, the details mesmerized as to how things panned out, what could have been.

But then, there was more.

Before advancing one word further, I share this: in all my conversations with the former Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman, assurances were given that orders were followed, hands are clean on this oil, and that the public hammering must be taken on the chin stoically. Having received these words of his, it is where I stand. Now I proceed. As quoted in the KN article referenced, Mr. Trotman said, “I acted on directions…” The way I look at this, those directions could only have been handed down by one of two sources: the former president himself or the Cabinet.

Of course, this opens the bottomless can of worms with the equivalents of: how can you? Why did you? And: that can’t be all? Excited and expectant citizens, now living in real time the hopes and dreams of their ancestors, are

hard pressed to accept that, to settle for just that alone. It is not comforting. More is sought, more waited upon, more to clear up the murk and mysteries of what really happened with this oil, who is responsible for what is now a full-fledged tragedy, and how and to where do we as a nation and as individual citizens go from here.

Instead of helping us see the light, this oil - and all of its related developments - has plunged us into darkness and the grimness that comes from such. We thought we would be better off, but rather than looking ahead, we are now compelled to looking backwards and at the records and memories and oral histories of our people, who were locked in slavery and indentureship for ages. Their lives we do not want to relive. Their enslaving experiences must not be repeated as ours, compliments of Exxon and the possibly helpless Guyanese men that partnered with them to give away our prospects and reward us with what incurs the wrathful. From that rage, there is ample firewood to fuel our hatreds directed internally. This, too, is a hallmark of what oil powers cultivate in impoverished divided

lands, with Exxon being not the exception, but a leader. It has been to more places, discarded more people and their many anticipations into the gutters of despair.

This is what it and its partners have done and will do some more. For what Mr. Trotman revealed, as carried in the KN article, was that no less a person than the former British High Commissioner, His Excellency Greg Quinn, went to bat for his own. That would be Tullow Oil. Excellency Quinn was quick to point out that he was doing what was expected of him, the standing norm in the way these representations work.

In other words, he did his job and he worked hard and long on behalf of his own. I applaud him on his zeal for things British, and as I do so, so many other things, parallel things, strike with a mailed fist to the face.

How well we would have been served if our own people fought tooth and nail, and in the clear, for us, on this oil of ours. Starting with the PPP that worked doggedly to beat-down Guyanese who stood in their way before (writers, papers, naysayers), but like regular pathetic bullies backed down when real

challenge came. It came in the form of Exxon. What the PPP started the PNC continued.

Yes, I appreciate that even with those paltry terms that Guyana stands to gain much, but those costs and add-ons, all crooked and corrupt, kill us, and drain away blood and organs to sell for still more profit by Exxon. I wish that we came out better, our longstanding menace notwithstanding.

I say that we would have been better served if all oil truths-timely and franklywere put before the Guyanese public, with conversations such as: this is where we are, this is what is in store, and this is how we will work (like High Commissioner Quinn) to do more, get more. Except that none of this was done.

Despite now being fastened behind the 8-ball, Guyanese leaders can still recover and be resourceful (a loaded word, indeed) on how to do better going forward. Both the PPP and PNC must come clean on this.

This I have made clear, too. Whether there will be listening, and acting is unclear.

Guyanese deserve better, need more, must know more.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS relationship moved from serf US$277 trillion by year’s end crashed.

DEAR EDITOR, Feudalism declined in Europe from 12th century to 15th century. In the 1300s, the bubonic plague swept across Asia and Europe. Over the next two centuries, this disease killed millions. The death of so many led to economic and social changes. The Magna Carta (1215), which limited the king’s power and strengthened the rights of the nobles and the creation of parliament.

The common people benefitted as the nobles used them to gain more power through parliamentary democracy and capitalism. The

and lords to employer and employee.

The war between France and England between 1337 and 1453 shifted power from the feudal lords to the monarchs and common people.

Before the 18th century, people lived, farmed and worked from homes. Just before the Industrial Revolution (18th century), manufacturers started to gather workers in one place under supervision for a wage.

I see a similar shift happening today caused by the COVID-19 crisis, the war on terrorism and Global debt of

(Institute of International Finance). Capitalism, the current dominant economic system whose main advocate is the United States is unlikely to recover.

The US is no longer practicing capitalism with government buying, corporate bonds, ETFs and giving forgivable loans to big corporation like Microsoft.

Twenty percent of US companies are zombie corporations are being kept afloat by government money. When the US tried to raise interest rate to 2.5 percent in December 2018, the stock market

The Federal Reserve started to take interest rate to zero. Because of US debt of 27.4 trillion interest rate will stay near zero indefinitely.

The future implementation of artificial intelligence, automation, biotech and other technology will decrease the need for workers.

Just the present work from home where possible orders cut the need for transportation and other goods and services like office space, gas and work clothes.

The present economic system is outdated and fit for (Continued on page 5)

Open Letter to Incoming Chair of US Foreign by 100 countries. They disturbances.

Relations Committee watched in utter disbelief the The poisonous venom DEAR CONGRESSMAN MEEKS, In this testing period of the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope that you and your family are well and in good health.

We take this opportunity to applaud your appointment as the new Chairman of the US House of Representatives’ Foreign Relations Committee.

We know that given your wide experience, knowledge of politics and diplomacy, you will be well positioned to help fashion public and international policy and action.

Your visit to Guyana in January 2020 and your commitment to free and fair elections, played an important

part in the upholding of democracy. Your principled position matched that of the US Secretary of States, Mr. Mike Pompeo, and it led eventually to the election of the PPP/C Party to form the new government of Guyana.

We also recognize the role played by the U.S. Embassy, the European Union, the Organization of American States, CARICOM, the Canadian and British High Commissions, US State Department, and local stakeholders in defending the integrity of the electoral process.

Your position and that of the international diplomatic community was supported

brazen attempt at an electoral heist of the 2020 elections in Guyana.

Scarcely have Guyanese began to breathe easier consequent upon the PPP/C accession to office than no sooner we have begun to witness a resurgence of serious threats to the democratic tradition of our country by a group of racist agitators, some in New York, who are bent on creating race tension and hatred.

They advocate a subtle call to violence, as had happened in West Coast Berbice in September 2020 when it was reported that opposition politicians were implicated in the

being spewed by opposition operatives is quite unsettling, especially given that Guyana is on the cusp of significant economic transformation due to significant oil discovery.

On Nov. 25,th for example, PNCR’s Brooklyn based agent Rickford Burke issued a threat, and misguidedly accused the PPP/C government of ethnic cleansing and called for a revolution in Guyana, appealing particularly to young Afro Guyanese to shut down the entire Guyana and make it ungovernable.

We cite here two examples of Burke’s subtle appeal to race. “Richmond Hill’s few (Continued on page 28)

Wednesday December 09, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Ballot watchmen and diplomats 2021: The Year to move beyond CARICOM compound buzz words having proper medical atten- as well as GECOM. Bringing prevented rigging up to date all laws that were ti DEAR EDITOR, monitoring the containers made in antiquity in conforon.

DEAR EDITOR, The country must forever be grateful to the small number of ballot watchmen and the ABC diplomats for protecting the integrity of the ballots that allowed for the survival of democracy and declaration of the PPP as the winner.

A small number of others also played critical roles behind the scene to get the ABCE countries and Caricom leaders to apply pressure on the Granger administration to concede defeat and for GECOM to do the right thing – declare the right winner.

While several individuals are enjoying Ministerial perks and government positions, they must never forget that they owe their position to the ballot box heroes who kept watch 24 hours daily over five months to prevent ballot tampering and the others noted above. And there were also several females who provided support and brought meals for the heroes; there were heroines behind the scene.

While it was agreed that a recount of the ballots would be undertaken, a plan was hatched to have agents clandestinely enter into the containers storing the ballot boxes and tamper with them

that would change the result and or raised questions about the integrity of the outcome.

It would show greater number of ballots for one and not the deserving.

It was a cinch to get into the container as we learn from the Belgium drug experience with a seized container; the Guyanese container in Brussels laden with US$1B drugs clearly illustrated that a sealed container can be tampered with.

After the container was cleared by Guyana’s customs and sealed, drug kingpins tampered with the container undetected and drugs were placed inside.

Analogously, agents had been rounded up and organized to use their expertise to enter into the ballot containers and tamper with the boxes with duplicate ballots. The entire operation was in place. Experts were on standby to take the doors off the containers with the locks and seals in place, change the contents, and refit the doors.

But the ballots watchmen made this skullduggery plan very difficult. This group of patriots stayed within close distance of the containers from just outside GECOM compound and at the

A good main road is needed in Mahaica DEAR EDITOR, The road from the Mahaica Market to Cane Grove is in a deplorable state.

Currently it’s the rainy season and the condition of the road has worsened.

Foot pedestrians such as school children face a monumental hurdle to cross potholes that spread over 20 feet in some areas.

During the dry season, the situation with dust makes living in the area a nightmare because it blows into people’s homes.

This road is the only thoroughfare from Mahaica Market to Cane Grove and large parts of the road is bare loam.

It’s hard to believe that a main road is dirt and not asphalt.

The previous government had largely ignored the pleas from residents on the improve-

ment of the road. Minister Cathy Hughes visited the Cane Grove area just before the previous local government election to solicit votes.

We asked her about fixing this road and all she could have responded was that people don’t pay their taxes so it’s difficult to do projects.

I felt a sigh of relieve when Hon. Minister Edghill visited the area on 5th December, 2020 and promised to have this important road fixed.

Mahaica is a recognized village in Guyana and needs good all weather roads.

Resident of Mahaica

with their physical presence and with cameras.

They did so around the clock. They were the ballot box heroes that saved the election outcome.

The group took turns watching and sleeping in shifts over a 24 hours period for several months in rain and shine. Had they not kept watch over the containers for 24 hours daily during the determined efforts to rig the election, the rigging would have been affected. The PPP would not have been declared the winner. Not all of those heroes were recognized or rewarded for their work.

The diplomats of the ABCE countries and Prime Ministers of Caricom were also heroes.

They saved the country from the rigging by refusing to accept the fraudulent count of the shameless Mingo, Myers, and Lowenfield. The diplomats were responsible for the correct declaration of the PPP as the winner.

Yours truly, Haresh Singh Kumar

2021: Year to move beyond buzz words to start buzzing.

Now that the political directorate has had a holistic review of the state of affairs ; recognized all the complementaries and synergies in play; identified all the skills set to accomplish the tasks ahead and have the right fit for each complexity that will arise, we should be assured that Year 2021 will be buzzing with accomplishments and activities.

We should see the following addressed with alacrity: * To professionally manage the urgent acquisition, storage and inoculation of the COVID-19 vaccine in an effective and systematic way to safeguard the entire nation. * To fortify and build our sea defences from Parika to Moleson Creek in a planned programme to prevent flooding from rising tides. * Building state of the art primary health care hospitals in each of the 10 regions with modern medical equipment and qualified medical staff so that we can relocate to any region without fear of not

EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 ...

Froma page 4 the 19th century.

The IMF is calling for a new Bretton Woods which is a new economic order. Spain’s finance minister has introduced universal basic income as a response to the novel coronavirus and it will become permanent. The entire world has introduced some sort of universal basic income in the form of unemployment relief or food subsidy. From about the 1800s the masses have experience growing freedom and an improved standard of life due to democracy and economic growth.

For most of civilization, the common people have lived

meager existence. It seems like we will revert back to the mean (norm).

It is a mathematica laxiom that over a long period of time, phenomenon goes back to the mean.

It is a highly likely probability but human ingenuity and determination can prolong humanity high standard of living. No more serf and lords but equal human beings. Presently our rulers are government which replaces the king’s and business persons who replace the lords.

It’s a modification that benefits the common people but we can still do better Brian E. Plummer

* Improve the quality and delivery of our technical and vocational institutions in each county. Introduce more relevant craft courses that will be needed on the oil platforms and the

hotel industries. * Proper maintenance to the drainage and irrigation systems in each county done in a scientific manner to buttress the on the spot works initiated by the minister on his management by walking around. * Potable and drinkable water from the tap available to each and every household in a systemic and phased manner. * Upgrading the roads division in each county in the Ministry of Public Works with equipment and engineers to properly maintain and repairs our public roadways. * Increasing national minimum wage to a livable amount and to restore and honour collective bargaining with representative trade unions. * Restructuring of the National Insurance Scheme to make it more accurate and people friendly. * Passing of legislation to reform our electoral system

mity with modern enlightenment. * Devolution of more power to local government organs and holding them accountable to operate by the rule of law. * Turnkey housing projects in each county subsidized by Ministry of Housing for the poor and powerless so that they can live in dignity. * Utilizing the natural gas to generate cheap and reliable power necessary for making the lives of citizens less stressful and for it to be the spring board to modernity.

* Promotion of our cultural a nd ethnic diversity through song , dance, plays, nursery readers, art, village festivals, gymkhana and sports in order to foster tolerance and eradica-

tion of stereotypes among our peoples. * Zero tolerance against corruption in public office with fair recruitment practices and equality in governance.

These are some of the things that should be buzzing in 2021.

Yours Sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin.

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Four months of rigging was very costly to some: the U.S. does not bluff DEAR EDITOR, As an objective observer and a concerned Guyanese who is not a registered member of any political party in Guyana, I would say to all Guyanese, regardless of race or political affiliation that they should never allow what happened in the aftermath of March 2, 2020 general and regional elections to occur again.

Everyone should put the country first and stand up for what is right and just.

The people of Guyana, especially the youths who are 65 percent of the population must never again experience such political trauma. What transpired at the Ashmin building and at GECOM head office on March 4, 5, and 6 by the Returning Election Officer of Region Four and others was reprehensible, scandalous, outrageous and beastly.

It was a blatant attempt to steal the elections in order to remain in power.

And those who perpetrate such vicious and thuggish acts and held the nation hostage for five months must face the full force of the law and should be banished from politics and society.

The anguish and grief suffered by many during the five months ordeal could have long-term consequences on their psyche.

For five months, Guyanese witnessed an election filled with trauma, falsehoods and threats of violence as the government at the time tried to discredit the elections and overturn democracy in

the country. In this period, a number of frivolous cases were filed in the courts and appeals were made all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) but as expected, they all were dismissed or thrown out; credit to the sound judicial system in Guyana and the CCJ. Every effort was made by the ruling party at the time to deny victory to the PPP. They did not succeed; thanks to the overwhelming support from ABC and EU countries, CARICOM, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth of Nations who fought with all their might to make sure that democracy prevail in Guyana.

If as stated by APNU+AFC that they had won the election, then all they had to do is to present their Statement of Polls (SOPs) to the public to support their claim.

The PPP did and its numbers matched those of the recount results. To this day, the coalition has not made their SOPs public, and they continue to tell their supporters that they had won the election and that the present government is illegitimate. It shows that they are on Mars and not on planet earth.

The truth is, the leaders of the coalition knew that they have lost the election but they, like Trump, have refused to concede in order to have a peaceful transfer of power as was the case in 2015 when APNU+AFC won the election.

The ABC and the Euro-

pean Union diplomats were disgusted and appalled at the Region Four Returning Officer’s barefaced attempt to produce fake and artificial numbers in front of the world in the advent of social media.

He was not wise enough to anticipate the powerful impact of the social media which helped to discredit his hoax.

The Western diplomats’ refusal to accept his scam has led to death threats and a series of scathing and disparaging criticisms on them that were baseless, untruthful and spurious, to say the least.

Similar threats and criticisms were made against the Chairs of GECOM and CARICOM, the OAS, the Commonwealth of Nations and in particular to the former Prime Ministers of Barbados and Jamaica.

Not even the Justices of the High Court in Guyana and the Caribbean Court of Justice whose rulings were based on the Constitution were spared of the threats, criticisms and disparaging remarks. But as the election saga continued, the recount of the votes showed that the PPP had won the election despite the fictitious, baseless and illegitimate claims put forth by the Coalition.

However, the Courts had ruled that the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of GECOM was not constitutionally appointed as was falsely claimed by some, and that the recount votes which showed that the PPP had won the elections were legal and valid.

Therefore, the CEO was asked by the Chair of GECOM (Continued on page 28)

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Let us be the agents of change DEAR EDITOR, I wish to speak to a couple of things in general. Firstly, I wish to commend President Ali and the PPP/C Administration for the thought of setting up another city on the Linden highway.

This is a step in the right direction. I also noticed the president made mention to the floodplain being one of the reason for such a thought/idea.

The flooding problems in and around the city and the East Coast is indeed cause for concern.

Action must be taken immediately to prevent catastrophic damage. In an earlier article I made note of the increased occurrences of abnormal weather patterns especially during the Atlantic Hurricane season, and how closely outer bands of those systems were trekking in or over Guyana.

I personally believe that adequate funding must be given to the meteorology department for necessary and urgent upgrades to be able to track these storms and give adequate and accurate warnings and updates.

Decentralizing governmental and other services would be most welcomed.

This city and others which I envision will be set up in other areas will foster population shift, hence industries and other businesses will see the need to expand.

That would mean that there would always be back services in other cities should the worst happen.

Secondly, I am concerned at the daily COVID-19 cases in Guyana. Guyanese should and must do their part to re-

duce the spread of this deadly virus. Social events must be addressed and monitored carefully with limited attendees, since these are deemed super spreader events.

If each of us do our parts, it will definitely be much easier on our fragile health care system and our heroic health care workers. Flattening the curve is one thing but beating this virus is most important. MASK UP! It works.

Stay socially distanced, and sanitize regularly!

The faster we can comply, the sooner we will get back to some degree of normalcy.

Once this happens, then our students can return to the classroom.

They have already missed out on vital instructional time.

I will be the first to admit that our education system needs to be urgently and technologically restructured.

However, that may not be feasible at this time, and definitely cannot be done overnight, but that is where we must be heading. Let us all do our parts in keeping ourselves and Guyana healthy and safe.

Finally, I must commend the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development for embracing the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) initiative and for their step in getting communities involved

through an art competition recently announced.

This is great news, but this initiative is much, much more than just a competition.

The 3Rs Initiative must be fully accepted and endorsed throughout Guyana, and by extension, the world.

This is actually the order of the day.

Many countries have already bought into the initiative, and have made great strides in reducing the amount of waste that are getting into their waste streams.

Through this initiative, we will learn and practice new and improved waste management and disposal strategies. Poor waste management and disposal techniques are accounting for, amongst other things, global warming which contributes to rapidly rising sea levels. Sadly, countries such as ours stand to receive the brunt of these negative effects.

I encourage all of Guyana to let us be the agents of change, and dispose of our trash more responsibly.

Use the seawall and other beautification projects undertaken by our First Lady as inspiration for keeping our immediate environments and communities clean and pristine.

Respectfully Yours Deav J.

BHARRATPUR OR IRFAANABAD

By Tulsi Singh Since dey moving Jashtown to Soesdyke because it will be going under water dem gon got to find a suitable name appropriate for de grand location.

David’s Town is a non-starter.

Parfaite Harmonie is scratched.

Donald was like he never deh-deh.

The best one Singhapur is taken which de English anglicize to Singapore.

That brings us to Bharratpur or for up-to-date-ness, Irfaanabad.

Before de illiterati raise objection Dat Irfaanabad sound like de man is bad, please know dat “abad” is Urdu for city, like Islamabad and Hyderabad.

Besides Bharratabad meck he sound like badman while Irfaanapur sound too much like a kitten.

So back to Bharratpur or Irfaanabad.

One person wanted to know what we gon do about Prado Two. We gon jack it up from underneath until it becomes the tallest structure in de sea, nay, in de entire galaxy.

When dem Andromedans come to visit on their tours of intergalactic heritage sites they will marvel at de chandelier unless Glenn Lall gets there first.

Suh, cast your votes for either Bharratpur or Irfaanabad.

After Bingo and Lottofeel has counted them Millie’s Hideaway gon be de winner.

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday December 09, 2020

Protests at Crabwood Creek…NDC chairman insists protestors had old grievances Residents on Monday during the protests in Berbice.

Defending his tenure: NDC chairman, Tero Arjune

C

hairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Crabwood Creek/Moleson Creek, Tero Arjune, is denying that he has under-performed and acted unfavorably with residents of that area during his 13 years at the helm of that council.

Arjune has since stated that the residents who turned up to protest were “one set of people” who had old grievances with him.

The NDC chairman disclosed that one protestor who spoke with the media on Monday, was taken to court by the Sanitary Department

for constructing a chicken pen on his plot of land that happens to be situated in a residential area.

That court matter concluded a month ago and the magistrate had ruled that Singh should remove the structure within three months.

The structure still stands, Arjune stressed.

He stated that residents had turned up at the NDC with a signed petition for Singh to cease building the chicken pen and the NDC had delivered a document to Singh for him to halt the process. The individual was

also a former councillor of the NDC. “That is the old grievance he has with me and this NDC because I did not approve the building of that.

We also have another person before the court for the same thing and we have visited other smaller chicken farmers and given them warnings as well, so I believe that is where this is coming from,” Arjune said.

Arjune also mentioned that another of the protestors was occupying the government reserves and had dug a drain on the access dam used by residents. The

individual had also occupied the farmer’s access point but the NDC had gone after him after residents complained.

The NDC official believes that the protest was led by the chicken farmer and other residents who the NDC took steps against in the past.

Arjune is standing by the work he has done as the NDC Chairman and stated that under the previous government, his NDC could have done very little since very little finances were given.

Referencing the comment made by one the protestors that the streets are not being done, Arjune disclosed that

the NDC is only responsible for minor remedial works to streets while the major works are handled by the RDC or Public Works Ministry.

The NDC has already earmarked four streets to be fixed.

“The residents just need to be a little patient…we weren’t getting money to do much so now we are able to do much more.”

It was also pointed out that all of the staffers attached to the NDC are educated.

“All of the staff there either have tertiary education or secondary education,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NDC chairman has since disclosed that regional officials have indicated to him that an investigation will be done surrounding the NDC and the protest.

Protestors on Monday set tires on fire on the Crabwood Creek public road, opposite the NDC office.

The resident brandished placards calling for the removal of the NDC Chairman and Overseer.

The protestors stated that they were unsatisfied with how the NDC has been performing and serving the residents of that area.

Wednesday December 09, 2020

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Lil wuk and big wuk The Ministry of Public Works has big plans. It is involved in planning for bridges across the Demerara River and the Corentyne River. And it is also going to build a new highway in West Demerara and a new bypass roadway to link Diamond and Ogle.

These are major infrastructural projects. But along the way, the Ministry should try to fix the smaller problems, which confront commuters every day.

Take for example the management of traffic on the East Coast. The old East Coast Public Road has been extended as a four-lane highway from Better Hope to Annandale.

But instead of helping traffic move faster, it is doing the opposite.

In addition, the main reason for this is that somebody had a brilliant idea to reduce the speed limit between Annandale and Triumph to 65 miles per hour.

What then was the purpose of spending all those millions to build a four-lane highway when the speed limit in that stretch is now what one expects in a two-lane public road?

The other problem on the East Coast is that every 800 meters there is a traffic light.

When they were building this road, it should have been predicted that if you widen the road to four lanes, then it will be more difficult for vehicles coming out of the villages to merge into or cross over the two carriageways. Instead of widening the road to four lanes, which cost millions of

US dollars, the government should have constructed an alternative road from the back of the villages to link to Georgetown and to the East Bank.

This was one of the criticisms, which was made way back in 1994 when the PPP/C constructed the Railway Embankment.

That road is too close to the Public Road. Persons living at the back of the dozens of villages still have to find their way to either the Public Road or the Embankment to obtain transportation. The Railway Embankment therefore did not solve the problem of getting people easier to their homes. The Embankment Road was too close to the East Coast Public Road.

At present, contractors are undertaking road works on the Sheriff Street Mandela Avenue roadway.

Works are being done at the junction where David Street intersects with the Railway Embankment and Sheriff Street.

This is one of the busiest junctions in the country.

Instead of simply widening the road as appears to be the plan, the government should be asking for a variation in the contract to allow for the immediate construction of a roundabout at the junction.

The space is there for a roundabout. As Barbados has shown, you can have small roundabouts, which works just as well as the large one, which Guyana has at the Seawall, Vlissengen Road and Carifesta Avenue junction.

That roundabout was the

not the first in Guyana. The colonial authorities had established a roundabout in the heart of the city. It is located in the vicinity of the Cenotaph in front of Guyana Stores.

There are also traffic lights at that junction, and this leads to a massive build- up of traffic.

A roundabout can easily be created at this junction without the need for any significant engineering or financial outlay. All that is required is for lanes to be drawn around the roundabout, using the same principle as what exists at Kitty. Vehicles would only enter the roundabout when it is safe to do so.

If the Ministry of Public Infrastructure addresses these issues – the problem on the East Coast, the creation of roundabouts at the junction of David and Sheriff Streets, in central Georgetown in front of Guyana Stores and at the junction of Vlissengen Road and Homestretch Avenue, there would be vastly improved traffic flow in that entire Square.

This would avoid a major problem, which Trinidad faced. A great deal of that country’s oil wealth went into building highways and flyovers. And the more these were built, the more were needed, and more construction had to take place.

Guyana cannot have a situation in which its oil wealth is used to finance infrastructure chasing after development.

There has to be simpler and less costly solutions and it is for the Ministry of Public Works to implement those

Dem boys seh ...

Shopping on the state account Dem gat something called ‘double parking’ which is against the law. But dem boys seeing some unbelievable double parking downtown, Georgetown.

Dem boys wonder wey de police does deh when these things happening.

Dem police does know good fuh stop you when you don’t mek a dead stop. But when all dem vehicles double parking, de police putting dem head straight.

People parking alongside each other on the same side of the road. Is like if two cars stop alongside one another pun de road fuh gaff.

It does block off traffic on one lane. Dem boys see it

happening pun Regent Street and it happening pun Robb Street and de wan at fault putting on dem hazard as if dem car bruk down. But de driver relaxing inside de car while the person wah he waiting fuh gone and shop.

Dem boys went at Giftland on Monday and dem boys spy a wagon with de marks of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority in the parking lot. Dem boys had to ask whether Giftland gat radio or television station or if the GNBA making purchases from de mall.

Dem boys see de van wah does transport dem prisoners park-up in front Courts. And yesterday when dem boys

bin passing, dem see a police bus double parking in front de entrance of Courts.

Dem boys know that is Christmas and plenty policemen and policewomen gat fuh shop at Courts. But dem boys wan know why dem police can’t use them own vehicle, like de female officer who gat de Black Rav 4 which is heavily tinted and who park on the No Parking Sign and gone and shop at Courts.

She better hope she don’t run into to de light bulb man from over de river. She gan gat fuh pull off dem tint with she finger nails.

Talk half and watch out fuh dem wah shopping using government vehicle!

solutions.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the

author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

PAGE 10

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Dr. Vincent Adams used the wrong set of words Dr. Vincent Adams is quoted in the newspapers as saying that professionals should not face losing their job because of political preference.

That statement is a misleading one. Or maybe Dr. Adams was innocent when he put it over but he put it over wrongly.

No one should even think of removing any person from a job because of political preference.

We all have political choices. When a professional gets involved in the hierarchy of a political party that is in power or in the opposition, then a whole debate emerges about sociology and moral values.

It is a universal practice that judges cannot and must not be allowed in political or-

ganizations. Anyone arguing against that should not be part of human society. One example should suffice. If a judge sits in the hierarchy of a party and his/her leader is involved in a land dispute and he/she gives judgement in favour of his/her leader, not one person in the world will believe the ruling was objective.

I believe a politically involved professional has a deep, moral obligation to the country to resign when he/she gets an appointment because of political connection and government changes hand.

One factor that is at work when that happens is “security trust.”

How can John still be allowed to continue to be in charge of the office of civil aviation operations when he

sits in the nerve-room of an opposition party?

Which government is going to feel secure knowing that an important office in the state is controlled by a huge opposition figure?

The PPP never allowed it.

The PNC never accepted it.

The AFC never embraced it.

If a new party comes to power in 2025, it will not approve of such a person.

Just two examples before we move on. David Hinds was the alternative WPA representative in the executive body of the APNU (not PNC).

But it was the very colleagues of Dr. Hinds in the APNU-led administration that disapproved of one of its own criticizing his own government in the Chronicle as a columnist.

Dr. Hinds was removed. Secondly, the PPP, PNC and AFC

never approved of the state own Chronicle having an opposition columnist when they controlled the government.

Dr. Adams was not a person with political preference only.

He was part (I think he still is) of the political leadership of the state. He was a key figure the two most important decision-making bodies of the AFC – national executive and management committee.

Let’s clarify a situation for Dr. Adams that he may not be familiar with. He is quoted as saying that Carl Greenidge was a politician but the government of the PPP still assigned him a state job.

Mr. Greenidge acted morally courageous when during the election fiasco, he was asked by President Granger to undertake a task which had he done so would have destroyed his career and the credibility of Guyana. For that moral obligation to Guyana, he was removed as Foreign Secretary.

There were two occasions in which Dr. Adams could have shown similar courage.

First, he could have emulated his AFC colleague, Dominic Gaskin. Secondly, he could

have done what Greenidge did – show obligation to the Guyanese people. I do not accept his position that as a non-voting American he didn’t see it as appropriate to let his voice be heard during the election-rigging drama.

But as a non-voting American, he made decisions for Guyanese that impacted on their lives Three areas that Dr. Adams must be pressed on, but he will get away with it because Guyana has one of the poorest practices of journalism anywhere in the world.

One is transparency.

He is reported in the press as saying that government must be transparent and accountable.

But as a politician he does not practice those two virtues. He was one of three persons that negotiated the renewal of the Cummingsburg Accord between the PNC and AFC. The contents of the conclusion were never transmitted to the AFC’s 33 person executive and to the public and remain secret up to this day.

Two – The selection of the nine MPs from the AFC was a horrible manifestation of dark incestuousness that

Frederick Kissoon resulted in grave injustice to certain long-standing AFC stalwarts.

Dr. Adams went along with the selections. Three He said that he made known to the AFC his positions during the five month election rigging. Well, tell us Dr. Adams what were those positive instincts you displayed?

Finally, one of the AFC leaders has declared that it is time the two major races be separated to which he objected. Does he still see that person as an AFC colleague?

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

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Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

‘HOT SKULL’ FOUND GUILTY OF FOOTBALLER’S MURDER Alvin Jones called “Hot Skull” was yesterday found guilty for the murder of Albouystown footballer, Paul Daniels.

Jones, a fish cleaner of Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown, fatally shot Daniels during a robbery at Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Georgetown on February 2, 2017.

His trial took place before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown High Court after he pleaded not guilty to the charge last week.

Yesterday, a mixed 12-member jury found Jones guilty of the charge which read that at Lot 252 Independence Boulevard, he mur-

dered Daniels during the course of a robbery.

At his trial, Jones was represented by attorney-at-law Stanley Moore while the state was represented by prosecutors Shawnette Austin and Nafeeza Baig.

Following the announcement of the verdict yesterday, Moore asked the court for a probation report to be prepared for his client before he is sentenced.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry granted the application and deferred sentencing until December 22, 2020.

Media reports had indicated that Daniels, 39, a painter and plumber of Schoonord, West Bank Demerara, was shot in the chest by one of two

men who had robbed him of a chain and a small sum of money shortly after he had followed his companion to her Lot 253 Independence Boulevard, Albouystown residence.

Back then, the police had said that Daniels was shot when he attempted to pursue the two bandits.

It was reported that on the day in question, Daniels picked up his girlfriend from work on a CG motorcycle and dropped her off at her residence.

Based on the reports, the bandits entered the home and demanded cash and jewellery from Daniels.

Before fleeing on a motorcycle, the bandits discharged several rounds hitting Daniels.

Dead: Paul Daniels.

Guilty: Alvin Jones known as “Hot Skull”

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Agri. Minister commits to major D&I works in West Watooka - residents complain about blocked canals, lack of proper infrastructure - $123M to be expended to develop conservancy early 2021 Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, yesterday met with farmers and residents from West Watooka in Region 10 to listen to some of the issues they were facing.

During the meeting, residents complained about the lack of irrigation and the current state of the drainage canals in the area, adding that it has now become a health hazard to many residents in the community.

Yolanda Bruce, a resident and farmer in the area, said that due to the lack of clearing and maintenance to the canals for a number of years, she is concerned about her family’s health and safety.

“On to now the canals haven’t been cleared. It is disgusting. We need a pipe in there to provide water that we can use. Our skin scratching from the dirty water. All the canals need to be cleared. All the road head, all the snakes coming out in the night,” Bruce said.

Leroy Hill, another farmer in the area also sought the assistance of the Minister with having a tractor fitted with a plough to assist with

accessing farmlands in the area.

“One of the main things as a farmer, for me, is water into the place and we need a tractor with a plough.

Even if you have these things at one location and people have to play a small fee for it. The roads to go into my farm haven’t finished as yet. Since last year or year before the last they were supposed to come and do the setting up and clearing of the roads to give access, but I have to take access through another farmer’s land to get to my land. I feel these things should have been done a long time ago. The lands also need ploughing. If you check the whole of Linden, we don’t have a tractor with a plough to do these works and it’s putting us under pressure,” Hill said.

Myrtle Gentle, representative of the West Watooka Farmers’ Association, also spoke about the need for regular maintenance of the community’s drainage systems.

“What I notice, they would maintain the canals

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha with Watooka residents yesterday.

twice a year. Along the road, I think they refer to those as drains, these are not being cleared. For me, I’ve noticed as a farmer, that the area needs a lot of drainage. I have my drains there but when the water comes out, it just backs up in the drain and it becomes

very smelly. I hope that some system can be put in place to correct this. It would also better the road system because if you notice when you were driving in, it was a real hazard to get here. When you have to hire a car to come in here to take out or bring in goods, it

costs more because the drivers don’t want to come,” Gentle said.

In responding to these issues, Minister Mustapha said that the NDIA would be sending machines to the area to commence clearing of the canals within the next couple

of days.

“We have to play the facilitating role as the Government. That is why we are here today to help you, the farmers, and we will help you. For those persons who raised issues about the clogged (Continued on page 26)

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Mom needs help finding teenage daughter

A

mother is pleading with the public to assist her in finding her 16-yearold daughter who disappeared from home on Wednesday, December 2.

Missing is Trinity Carew of Rainbow City, Linden, Region 10.

Her mother, Nichelle Fable, said that she had left Carew at home with her younger sister around 16:55 hrs. that afternoon and went to the market.

While at the market, she was informed by her little daughter that Carew left home with a haversack.

Carew has not returned home since then.

Calls to her phone went unanswered.

Other family members too had not seen her since.

Without any knowledge of her whereabouts, Nichelle is worried that she could be in danger.

Carew was last seen wearing light pinkcoloured top and light-coloured blue jeans.

Anyone who might have seen Carew or have any information on her whereabouts can contact the nearest police station or her parents on 661-1505, 661-1037 and 444-2695.

Missing Teen: Trinity Carew

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

New Board of Livestock Authority,urged to up surveillance on meat - Ramraj named new chair Minister Zulfikar Mustapha with the new members of the GLDA board.

T

he Guyana Live stock Development Authority (GLDA) is the latest agency under the Ministry of Agriculture to have its Board of Directors in place.

On Monday, during the introductory meeting, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, urged the new members to work as a collective to develop and make recommendations that will guide Government’s policies to enhance the sector.

“In selecting this board, a lot of thought went into it because we were looking for people who can serve and enhance the livestock sector.

With the representation here, I’m confident that you all possess the necessary skillset to move GLDA forward. As Minister of Agricul-

ture, I would like to see this board play a significant role in the growth of our livestock industry. We have a lot of investors eyeing Guyana now.

As a matter of fact, a few weeks ago I made a presentation on poultry and goat production to a group of investors from Dubai and they showed great interest in those areas,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha also encouraged the board to promote the services of the authority to farmers across the country.

“Over the last few months we’ve seen a renewed interest in our agriculture sector, more so, in the livestock sector.

That interest came about because of two things; our strategies in terms of intro-

ducing friendly policies to our farmers and the incentives we are giving to farmers and persons interested in investing in the poultry sector. We’ve also been promoting the works of the GLDA during our outreaches and community engagements. I hope that the board can continue on this path to ensure we develop the industry and create wealth for our farmers,” Minister Mustapha urged.

Newly-elected Chairman, Madanlall Ramraj, committed to having the board build on the successes achieved so far.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the authority and, as a board, we will continue to build on the successes achieved so far. There are four broad policies that (Continued on page 31)

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

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Berbice man ran into path of minibus- driver claims A labourer is currently hospitalized after a minibus hit him down on Monday, along the Chester Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

The labourer, Maxwell Mona, 55, of Chester Village, was struck down around 18:20 hrs.

According to police, Mona had run into the path of the minibus.

Police stated the minibus was heading west along the southern side of the road when, Mona suddenly ran across from same side. The bus driver claimed that he had applied brakes to avoid hitting down the man.

The minibus did not stop in time and the left front side collided with Mona and flung him onto the roadway.

He was picked in an unconscious state and rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital, where he was treated and then transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital. There he was admitted in a critical condition.

Police stated breathalyzer test was conducted on the minibus driver but no trace of alcohol was found.

Investigations are continuing.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Agri. Minister commits to major D&I works in...

From page 13 canals, I’ve instructed the NDIA to have a machine come into this area to clear all the canals that you would’ve mentioned. We’ll also send a small machine here to clear the roadside drains that are clogged. Those machines should be here to commence works before the week is out.

I also want to encourage you, when we award contracts for

manual clearing as part of the maintenance programme, we have to ensure that the groups carrying out these works do it to the satisfaction of the community because sometimes we award contracts and we are not getting satisfaction for our money.

When I look at the amount of money expended here over the last couple of years, I don’t think there should’ve

been this amount of issues raised,” Minister Mustapha said.The subject Minister also disclosed that the coming year will see the Ministry developing a conservancy in the area.

“In the new year, we will start the conservancy at the back here to trap irrigation water…$123M will be expended here so that you can benefit from regular irrigation

water for your crop. That project is at the evaluation stage and should be going to the tender board soon. We’ll also be doing another D&I structure for an additional $50M right at the back here,” Minister Mustapha said.

The Minister was accompanied by the Ministry’s Director General, Madanlall Ramraj, and other senior ministry and regional officials.

Wednesday December 09, 2020

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Govt. cancels plans to restart Moleson Creek ferry operations

Cubans in limbo at Suriname border…

- engages ambassador Campout Cubans camping out at the Suriname border

By Shervin Belgrave The Government of Guyana has halted plans to restart the Suriname ferry operations, engaging with the Cuban ambassador to find a resolution.

Hundreds of Cubans are stranded in Suriname. They want to make use of the ferry service to cross to Guyana.

The ferry service was halted earlier this year because of COVID-19 restrictions on the country’s borders.

Speaking with stateowned television- the National Communications Network (NCN)- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, yesterday revealed that the re-opening of the ferry service at the Suriname border has been halted. The reason being is to address the campout there of hundreds of Cubans- said to be in excess of 600.

Kaieteur News had reported on December 4th that Cubans want to use Guyana as a transit point to the US. Todd pointed out that the decision to delay the reopening of the ferry was taken following talks with the Surinamese government.

He said that the idea is not to block the Cubans from entering, but rather to deal with a situation that can have serious implications, not only for Guyana, but for Brazil too.

“It’s a COVID-19 environment and it is in that context which we operate…we don’t want to have that situation in this kind of an environment,” he said.

He indicated that Guyana and Suriname are working

side-by-side to address the situation.

Todd explained that the two countries want to attack the situation from its root in order to avoid a large influx of Cubans to the Suriname border. This, he says, can cause serious problems for both Suriname and Guyana.

“What we don’t want is for a caravan to develop which would see thousands of Cubans trying to get to the border which can cause problems for both Suriname and Guyana,” said the minister.

Nevertheless, he added: “We are trying to deal with the problem without breaking any international laws.”

He noted that the Suriname government has been and is providing assistance to Cubans there.

“We are working out some arrangements with the Cubans to have those who want to return to Cuba return, and those who have legal status can stay,” Todd said.

“I am also trying to see how best we can accommodate them in Suriname.”

Suriname media house, Waterkant, had reported that around 600 Cubans were headed to Nickerie, a border area, on November 30th, in large buses with hopes of crossing over to Guyana.

Coincidently, that was the same day the Guyana Government revealed that travel to Suriname, via the Moleson Creek ferry crossing, will be opened from Saturday, December 12th.

As a result, this newspaper was told, the Cubans decided to set up

Minister Hugh Todd and senior government officials meeting with the Cuban ambassador to Guyana, Narciso Reinaldo Armador Socorro, on Monday to discuss the situation.

tents at South Drain, near the Canawaima Ferry connection.

Videos seen by this media showed that the Cubans have been camping out, and expressing the hope that they will be allowed to board the ferry.

On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, reported that Minister Todd convened a meeting with Narciso Reinaldo Armador Socorro, Ambassador of Cuba, to discuss the pressing issue of a number of Cuban nationals currently camping at South Drain, Suriname, who are desirous of transiting Guyana to get to the US to seek asylum there. Minister Todd was accompanied by Gail Teixiera, MP, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance; Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Robeson Benn, the Minister of Home Affairs.

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 09, 2020

ExxonMobil will not recover CSR spend

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DEAR EDITOR, The headline in Kaieteur News on December 8th (“ExxonMobil makes $32M COVID donation it can take back later”) was disappointing and misleading. It is particularly disappointing, since I have been on record in this very publication as stating that ExxonMobil Guyana will not

recover any of the GY$2.7B we have made in donations and sponsorships in Guyana.

Had your publication contacted us as it did more than a year ago when this article was published, we would have confirmed this.

While I don’t expect Kaieteur News or others to agree with us on every issue of oil and gas development, I

hope that we can prevent confusion about the donations we have made and will continue to make in Guyana.

Our contributions have gone to support organizations and people in each region of Guyana.

We have helped students and the government adjust to COVID-19, women start businesses, people train for jobs,

wildlife organizations study and conserve Guyana’s unique natural heritage, among other causes. Many people on our team work hard to make these possible and take pride in the work of these organisations.

Regards, Janelle Persaud Public and Government Affairs Advisor

Four months of rigging was very costly to some...

From page 6 to issue a report based on the results of the recount votes. He did not. He presented a report which disqualified 275,000 of the 460,000 or 60 percent of the votes cast. It was rejected by GECOM. As if his shameless and crooked action was not enough, the CEO issued a second report which disqualified 115,000 votes.

In both of his reports, he ignored the ruling of Guyana’s Appeals Court, the CCJ and the Chair of GECOM. However, it is important to mention the two false reports were issued by the same CEO of GECOM who had earlier projected that it will take 156 days to recount the 460,000 votes cast, yet he was able to

single-handedly counted the same number of votes cast twice in less than seven days.

The five months ordeal has disgraced the citizens, stained the country and damaged its repetition in the international community, including the CARICOM member states, the Commonwealth of Nations and the OAS. It was silly for the leaders of the coalition to blame foreign intervention by the ABC and EU diplomats and their concocted claim that the diplomats supported the PPP. The fact is they were too preoccupied with overturning the election and maintaining power to realize that the same ABC and EU countries had supported the democratically elected APNU+AFC in 2015.

However, the PPP also has to share part of the blame for what transpired during the five months when democracy was threatened in Guyana.

For the 23 years when the PPP was in office, it did not make any serious attempt to change the structure of the Carter design of GECOM to better represent the interest of the people.

The current GECOM structure which comprised of three commissioners from each of the two main political parties, means that the agency would be at an impasse in its decision making process, given the fact that the commissioners are more likely to represent their party’s interest.

After four months in office, the government should

have established a Commission of Inquiry into the 2020 elections. The delay on such an important issue is uncalled for.

Needless to say, the leaders of the coalition, including the former president were warned on several occasions by the Western diplomats, especially the U.S. that their actions would result in severe consequences.

They did not take the U.S. warnings seriously. As it turned out, they were wrong as most of them had their U.S. visas revoked and are barred indefinitely from entering the U.S. It was a costly mistake and they have learned the hard way. The United States does not bluff.

Yours truly, Dr. Asquith Rose

Open Letter to Incoming Chair of US Foreign...

From page 4 thousand Indian votes pale in comparison to the number of other votes in Congressman Meeks’ district of 745,000 people. 52% of the people in this district are Black.” He continues: “Indians expect that because Meeks represents Richmond Hill, and they may have made financial contributions to his campaign, that he must support the PPP’s agenda. The Congressman knows this corrupt strategy well. He has already been entangled in serious ethical challenges previ-

ously due to Indians nefarious designs.”

Congressman, your contributions to Guyana were recognized in an article in Guyana papers by Dr. Bisram who describes you as a champion of democracy and a person of integrity.

Burke’s is not concerned about working to alleviate the economic conditions of Guyanese, but he has a neurotic pre-occupation with creating race conflict and social upheaval. His call to the Police Force and the Army to defy the PPPC administration,

is reckless. It is unfortunate that Burke also has the support of Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, to whom he has fed an avalanche of lies, deception, and distorted information. We wrote Hon Jeffries about this, but he did not respond. We wonder which person in good standing would ever want to be alongside a man who preaches race hatred and call for revolution to effect changes!

Independent observers and scholars have recognized that the PPPC is governing for every Guyanese and that

they embrace equality of opportunity for all. It is a sad commentary however that this type of Burkean acidic rhetoric has always been an implicit objective of the PNCR Party since 1992.

We know that your new portfolio will present many challenges that will keep you continuously engaged but ask that you spend some of your precious time to understand our narrative of the situation in Guyana. Truth is not our enemy. We simply state that Guyanese are now breathing freely following the declaration of the 2020 elections results. Democracy has been given another chance to lay the groundwork for the country’s rapid development and providing the good life for all Guyanese.

Your Committee may even want to make a visit to Guyana to get firsthand information. The reality is that his party has lost the 2020 regional and general elections, and he and cohorts have decided to remain in denial and challenge the legitimacy of the PPPC government with a barrage of falsehoods and deception.

(This below letter was sent to Congressman Gregory Meeks in response to a racist pitch from Burke.)

Respectfully, Dr Vishnu Bisram, NYGDP Dr Tara Singh, NYGM

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman denies sending hit squad to Canada

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

Deadly Garnett Street attack…

Police track killers as traumatised survivor surfaces Murdered: Gonsalves

The scene of the shooting

A

s police continue its efforts in tracking down the killers of Peter Gonsalves, 60, who was shot dead on Monday night for his motorcycle, his pillion rider who survived remains heavily traumatized.

Gonsalves, a father of four and a construction worker of Pere Street, Kitty, was riddled with bullets around 09:30hrs in front of Red Bar, located on Garnett Street, Newtown.

The man had left his home with a worker, the pillion rider, Ravindra Ramlakhan, 18, in search of cigarettes.

Their search came to an abrupt end after two men, also on a motorcycle, rode up beside them in front of Red Bar. The pillion rider of that bike jumped off and attempted to relieve Gonsalves of his

black and white XR Honda motorcycle.

Gonsalves put up a fight and the bandit drew his weapon, shot him several times before escaping with the motorcycle.

Gonsalves stumbled twice, according to eyewitnesses, before falling face down to the ground.

Standing close by and witnessing his boss killed in front of him was Ramlakhan.

In a state of shock, eyewitnesses recalled Ramlakhan placing his hand on his head and saying: “We just come out to buy cigarette and dem kill this man.”

Ramlakhan stood there for a few minutes speechless and staring at the corpse of his boss.

He borrowed a phone from (Continued on page 32)

New Board of Livestock...

From page 15 the board should concentrate on. These include policy formulation, strategic implementation, supervision of executive management and the accountability to Government. Minister, I want to assure you, that as Chairman and with the support of my colleagues, we’ll ensure that those policies are implemented and enhanced,” Mr. Ramraj said.

Recently, GLDA collaborated with the Ministry of Health to conduct a number of exercises that resulted in the seizures of large quantities of poultry and other processed meats from a number of entities in Georgetown.

These meats were found to be either smuggled or not fit for human consumption.

Minister Mustapha, while commending GLDA for the successes of those activities, encouraged the board to ensure it continues to build on its surveillance operations to ensure only products classified as fit for human consump-

tion is present on the market.

“We’ve seen over the past few weeks; a number of illegal meats being seized by the GLDA. Through those activities we can see that as an entity, we’ve been working to ensure we protect our market from having meats that can pose a threat to the health and wellbeing of our citizens if consumed. I am encouraging the GLDA to continue those types of surveillance and gather the necessary information to ensure our markets remain secure,” Minister Mustapha said.

The new members of the GLDA Board of Directors include Madanlall Ramraj (Chairman), Jennifer Chapman, George Jervis, Javed Mustapha, Erick Anderson, Ramsay Ali, Hakeem Mohamed, Debra Gopaul, Dr. Nardeo Bassoodeo, Wilmot Garnett, Partick DeGroot, Courtley Crichlow, Shameer Mohamed, Mahendranauth Ramjit and Dr. Grayson Halley (ex officio).

PAGE 31

PAGE 32

Police track killers as traumatised...

From page 15 someone who rushed out to investigate and informed his family of what took place.

He then walked away and stood a short distance away from the scene. Notably shaken by the incident, Ramlakhan could not say much. All he said was that “it happened so fast”.

He could not remember how the men looked or what

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

kind of bike they were riding.

A short while after, he disappeared from the scene.

His family members arrived shortly after to see if he was okay and to pick him up but he could not be found.

His mother was worried and told reporters that he hails from Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

“He don’t know Georgetown, he does not have any money or cellphone, where will he go?” she asked.

She kept saying: “What if they attack him again? What if they kill him because he saw their faces?”

Eyewitnesses and those at the scene tried to calm her down and gave her all assurance that he will be safe.

The woman along with other family members left in search of him.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, yesterday his mother said that he arrived home safely. “He did not say how he got home but he made it,” she said.

The woman took him to the police station to give a statement and then took him home again.

She told Kaieteur News that he is still traumatized by the shooting and has not been speaking much.

“It seems like he so shaken up that all he can do is sleep”.

There has been a rash of robberies for motorcycles by young bandits.

Over 2,000 residents to receive electricity in Little and Big Baiboo Over 2,000 residents of Little and Big Baiboo, Mahaica Creek, Berbice, will access electricity for the first time as the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is currently constructing the network infrastructure within these

communities.

The promise was made back in October during a visit by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, and Region Five Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal.

Ongoing works to connect the residents.

Wednesday December 09, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Movie star Sylvester Stallone says Yohan Blake-inspired luxury watch is a showstopper SportsMax - For the past seven years Yohan Blake has been in partnership with luxury watchmaker Richard Mille.

The partnership started shortly before Blake’s accomplishments during the 2012 Olympic Games in London when Blake ran 9.75 and 19.44 for silver medals behind Usain Bolt.

The model, which was created for and with Yohan Blake, was unveiled in 2013.

The design of the RM 59-01 is one of the company’s most spectacular editions. Only 50 pieces were made and retailed for US$620,000.

The very first piece was sold to a Nigerian billionaire who received his watch from the athlete himself at Harrods in London, Sportsmax.TV understands. Since then, some of the world’s most famous personalities have sought af-

ter and added the RM 59-01 to their collections, among them Hollywood mogul Sylvester Stallone.

Stallone is one of the most important watch collectors of the last several decades, credited with boosting brands like Panerai and Richard Mille while ushering in an era of giant watches that lingers to this day.

He was very impressed with the RM 59-01, the Yohan Blake.

“This watch was designed by Richard Mille on the basis of speed,” Stallone said in a video Blake posted on his Instagram page on Sunday. “It’s named after a world-class sprinter. It looks like it’s moving when it’s standing still, the Yohan Blake. It looks fast. It’s like an animal.”

Blake worked with Richard Mille to develop a special cali-

bre designed for sprinters the world over. The RM 59-01 Yohan Blake is described as an aerodynamic, ergonomic and high-performance tourbillon watch featuring a very original structure that meets all the requirements of the sprinter and the brand.

The piece has dynamic bridges that span the movement and hand-painted in green and yellow in tribute to the Jamaican flag.“This watch has a sprinter’s movement,” Stallone continued.

“This one is a show stopper.

“When I bought it, I wore it one time and I guess it was photographed by the Daily Mail or something like that.

Six months later I went to Europe and I walked into a restaurant and the maître d goes ‘Aww, I thought you had worn the Yohan Blake I saw it the newspaper’. I said ‘No, I keep it packed away, I don’t

Wednesday December 09, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You could be feeling especially sociable today. Maybe there's a virtual party of some kind you want to be invited to.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You're feeling especially loving, attractive, and romantic, so romance is likely to be on your mind.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) An increased level of ESP and imagination could have you feeling more creative and artistic. You might want to channel this energy into writing, painting, or adding touches to your living room..

CANCER (June 21–July 22) An attractive neighbor with whom you seem to share a bond could become a friend. A group you're affiliated with could be expressing highly idealized goals and purposes.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Dreams of a new career could fill your mind today, perhaps because of too much stress in your current one. You might even think of becoming a movie star! Go for your dream if you feel it's

what you want, Leo. VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22) Spiritual goals may be at the top of your priority list now, Virgo. You may be looking for online metaphysical seminars or meditation workshops, perhaps taking place in a distant state or foreign country.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Lovely dreams could spark your imagination and get your artistic abilities going.

You could learn a lot about yourself and whatever has been limiting you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A new friend could arrive today, Scorpio. You're probably going to like this person very much. He or she probably shares many of your interests.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) If you've been thinking about a job change or even a new career, a chance interaction could provide the opportunity.

However, Sagittarius, remember, "If something seems too good to be true, it probably is."

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A journey by air to a distant place might be on your mind, though you might not make it for a long time. Knowledge is important to you, and you can be insatiably curious.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The desire to beautify your home could hit you full force today, Aquarius. Perhaps you're expecting future visitors or house guests and want to make a good impression.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A new neighbor could arrive who you feel especially drawn to, Pisces. You might have high hopes for a friendship with this person. He or she may seem especially congenial and share a lot of your interests.

Sylvester Stallone (left) says Yohan Blakeinspired luxury watch is a showstopper. want anything to happen to it’.

“This is what you call star quality. This one has it.”

Ever since they first met, Richard Mille took a liking to the Jamaican sprinter because of his athletic talents and his

Joshua ‘ready for war’ against...

From page 37 outing on home soil since September 2018, when he defeated Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium.

“I like it, it will be intimate.

It’s nice for the fans,” he said of the small crowd allowed to attend.

“It is a special occasion to watch a heavyweight championship fight among 1,000 people when normally there would be tens of thousands of people.

“There are a lucky thousand who will be there, so I hope that they enjoy it.”

generosity.According to the Richard Mille website, Blake may have conquered the world, but he has never forgotten his native Jamaica and makes sure that the fruits of his success are invested where they are needed - back home.

“Yohan is extremely generous, devoting much of his time to helping underprivileged children in his native Jamaica through his YBAfraid charity. He is the only sportsman to donate much of his own income towards his foundation. Richard Mille was immediately smitten with Yohan’s personality, his commitment to humanitarian causes, his tremendous talent as a sprinter, his flawless technique and his bewildering capacity for breaking records.”

Pakistan players...

From page 35 this year, to England, at a time when England was still in the midst of the first wave of the pandemic. Ahead of that tour, the PCB carried out two tests, including an antibody test. Players had been together for seven days in a hotel and had to test negative twice before flying to England - and that too on a chartered flight.

McEnlay also confirmed that while there were “a number of breaches” of New Zealand’s isolation management policies initially, the players and support staff had maintained full compliance after that. “There have been no further reported breaches,” she said.

All but one member of the travelling party was released from the managed isolation facility (MIQ) earlier today, after everyone returned a negative test. “One case will remain in the Christchurch quarantine facility until fully recovered,” McEnlay said.

“One person repeatedly tested negative and is being released from the Auckland quarantine facility today, where they had been transferred on arrival as a precaution.”

Pakistan are scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests against New Zealand later this month, with the first game taking place on December 18. As there are currently zero community cases in New Zealand, the players will not be required to form a bio-secure bubble now that they are out of managed isolation, and therefore have no restrictions placed on them anymore.

“After extensive testing and completion of their time in managed isolation in Christchurch, the Canterbury DHB medical officer of health is satisfied these people pose a very low risk to the community,” McEnlay said.

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Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

Pakistan players likely caught virus during flight or just prior - NZ director of public health ESPNcricinfo - Half a dozen Pakistan players who tested positive days after arrival in New Zealand “likely picked up the infection just prior to their leaving for New

Zealand, or during their travels” to the country, New Zealand director of public health Dr Caroline McEnlay has told ESPNcricinfo.

McEnlay did not rule out

the possibility that the virus may have been incubating in players even as they travelled to New Zealand, although she did confirm that the squad had met all requirements be-

fore flying. “This is possible - it does take a few days after exposure before the disease develops,” she said. “Pre-departure testing does help in identifying people who have current infection but it will not detect people who have very recently been exposed to the virus.

“They were required to take a Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and be symptom-free before departing for New Zealand. Of the 54 team members that arrived, one team member was symptomatic on arrival in Auckland and was taken to the managed quarantine hotel in Auckland (Jet Park) to be tested.

The test returned negative.

The remaining 53 members flew to Christchurch and to the managed isolation facility at the Chateau on the Park.”

The squad flew to New Zealand from Lahore via Dubai, where they changed planes. The plane stopped at Kuala Lumpur for refuelling

though the squad stayed onboard. After landing in Auckland, they then boarded a chartered flight to Christchurch.

Before leaving Lahore, 55 players and support staff quarantined at a hotel in Lahore for two nights prior to departure. One of the party, Fakhar Zaman, became symptomatic before departure and did not make the trip.

The Pakistan team doctor and director of medicine Dr Sohail Saleem told Jang newspaper that he was taken aback by the volume of positive tests returned in New Zealand, given they had all tested negative before flying out, and is committed to finding out how this had happened.

Most of the players congregated after having been part of a busy home season of cricket, playing in the National T20 Cup, some having been involved in the series against Zimbabwe, the Quaide-Azam Trophy and the PSL. By the time they flew out, the squad as a whole had under-

gone at least three, and in many cases, four tests (including the one at the hotel) since October; it was then that the PCB had started finalising names of those who would be traveling.

These players underwent tests after the Zimbabwe series, one before the PSL began and one after the final (over two dates to account for all four teams). Those tests were staggered over more than a month and were part of the nearly 3000 Covid19 tests the PCB conducted as a whole during that portion of the season, although there were breaches of the bio-secure bubbles and instances of players falling ill at various events.

As per New Zealand’s requirements, the PCB carried out one test pre-departure while in the bubble at the hotel, and ensured the entire squad was negative and that nobody with symptoms flew.

That was different to the requirements ahead of Pakistan’s other major tour (Continued on page 33)

Most of Pakistan’s players congregated for the New Zealand tour after having been part of a busy home season.

(AFP via Getty Images)

American Kenin named WTA Player of the Year (Reuters) - American Sofia Kenin has been named WTA Player of the Year after winning her maiden Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open.Kenin defeated World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in the semi-finals and twice Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza in the final to claim the title at Melbourne Park. Kenin also reached the French Open final and finished the season ranked a career-high No. 4.The 22-year-old is the eighth American to win the WTA Player of the Year accolade, joining Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, Lindsay Davenport, Tracy Austin, Chris Evert, Venus Williams and Jennifer Capriati.

Iga Swiatek, who became the first Polish player to win a Grand Slam singles title when she beat Kenin in the French Open final, was named the WTA’s Most Improved Player of the Year.

Former world number one Victoria Azarenka was named WTA Comeback Player of the Year after she claimed her first title in over four years at the Western & Southern Open and advanced to her fifth career Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open. The Belarusian also regained her spot in the WTA Top 20.France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Hungary’s Timea Babos were voted the WTA’s doubles duo of the year after capturing the Australian Open and Roland Garros titles.

Sofia Kenin of the U.S. celebrates as she kisses the trophy after winning her match against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza at the Australian Open. (REUTERS/Issei Kato)

Wednesday December 09, 2020

PAGE 35

Kaieteur News

Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. fight reportedly brought in $80 million

Man Utd knocked out of Champions League

by RB Leipzig

Roy Jones Jr. (L) and Mike Tyson celebrate their split draw on Nov. 28, 2020 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Triller).

Leipzig scores agaisnt Man Utd during the match. (Getty Images)

Yahoo Sports - Boxing fans don’t care about Mike Tyson’s age, they just want to see him fight. Tyson’s comeback fight against Roy Jones Jr. reportedly brought in $80 million in pay-per-view purchases, according to the New York Post.

Those figures come courtesy of Triller — the fight’s distributer — and Tyson’s Legends Only League. If accurate, those numbers would make Tyson-Jones among the top-10 most purchased PPV fights ever.

Tyson and Jones both benefited from those buys.

Tyson, 54, reportedly made $10 million as a result of the fight. Jones, 51, reportedly

made $3 million. Despite their age, both men lasted eight rounds. The fight wasn’t officially scored, but the celebrity judges called it a draw.

Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole scored the fight 78-74 for Tyson.

Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield could fight next Given the financial success of the Jones fight, Tyson has every incentive in the world to hold a rematch against Evander Holyfield.

The two haven’t fought since 1997, when Tyson bit off a piece of Holyfield’s ear. The fight was called after that, giving Holyfield the win.

Holyfield also defeated Tyson when the two met a

year earlier.

Despite winning both fights — and the whole ear thing — Holyfield, 58, wants to get back into the ring to face Tyson a third time.

Holyfield said his side tried to schedule a rematch with Tyson, but Tyson’s side avoided it. After watching Tyson and Jones go at it, Holyfield said he could “see why [Tyson] wanted a tuneup fight before thinking about fighting me.”

If Tyson continues his comeback, a third TysonHolyfield bout feels inevitable. Both men seem open to the idea, probably because there are boatloads of money to be made.

Ronaldo double helps Juve to 3-0 win over Barca FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (right) in action with Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo.

(Reuters/Albert Gea)

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo netted two penalties as Juventus out-classed Barcelona 3-0 at the Camp Nou to claim top spot in Champions League Group G yesterday.Ronaldo scored from the spot in the 13th minute before a stunning Weston McKennie volley put the Italian champions two goals up seven minutes later.

The Portuguese got his second penalty when Clement Lenglet was penalised for handball seven minutes after the restart.

Both sides had already qualified for the knockout stages before kick-off. They end the group phase on 15 points each but Juve take first place by virtue of a superior head-to-head record.

BBC Sport - Manchester United’s season suffered a huge blow as a defeat at German side RB Leipzig knocked them out of the Champions League.

Needing just a draw to progress to the last 16, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side conceded twice inside 13 minutes to leave their hopes in tatters before RB Leipzig added what appeared to be a killer third with 20 minutes left.

United staged their now customary second-half fightback thanks to a Bruno Fernandes penalty and Harry Maguire header, but ultimately fell short.

It is small solace for United that they now drop into the Europa League - a competition they won in 2017.

Tuesday 8th December 2020 Results: Lazio 2 - Club Bruges 2 Zenit St Petersburg 1 - B Dortmund 2 Chelsea 1 - FK Krasnodar 1 Rennes 1 – Sevilla 3 Barcelona 0 – Juventus 3 Dynamo Kyiv 1 - Ferencvárosi TC 0 PSG - Istanbul Basaksehir -Match abandoned RB Leipzig 3 - Man Utd 2

Mercedes under investigation for Russell, Bottas tyre mix-up Russell and Bottas were running one-two when a crash for Jack Aitken left debris on the track. (Motorsport Images)

Motorsport - Russell and Bottas were running one-two when a crash for Jack Aitken left debris on the track at the exit of the last corner, and triggered a safety car.

Both Mercedes drivers were called into the pits to give them fresh tyres for the restart, thus protecting them from any cars behind that pitted and fitted new rubber.

Russell had a normal pitstop and exited safely, but after the stacked Bottas drove forward into the box and before he left, the mechanics realised that Russell’s tyres had been fitted at the front – so the stop was aborted and the hard tyres which Bottas had been using were fitted to the car again.

Russell had left with the front tyres of Bottas on his car, and he was then told that he had an incorrect tyres fitted, and he came into the pits in the next lap for a fresh set, before rejoining the safety car queue.

Russell eventually finished ninth, having

been delayed further by a late puncture.

“After the race, the FIA noted: “When car number 63 pitted for a tyre change at 21:16hrs, the team fitted on the front axle tyres allocated to car number 77.

“Car number 63 left the pit lane and returned after one lap in order to fit a correctly allocated set of tyres. As this is not in compliance with Articles 24.2 a) and 24.3 e), I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

Speaking to Sky F1 after the race team boss Toto Wolff said: “For us it was just a colossal f**k-up.

“Simply one of the car crews didn’t hear the call, we had a radio failure in the garage, and when the car came in, then we didn’t know that we had to change the tyres, or put the wrong tyres, and this is why we exited with the wrong set of tyres. Then we had to obviously pit again.”

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Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

Hamilton raring to return for Abu Dhabi season finale (Reuters) - Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said he hopes to return for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after one of the hardest weeks of his life following a positive test for COVID-19.

The Mercedes driver, who secured his record-equalling seventh title in Turkey last month, missed Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix after testing positive in Bahrain.

“It has been one of the hardest weeks I’ve had for some time,” the 35-year-old Briton said in a video on social media yesterday.

“I’ve just been focusing on recovering and trying to get back in shape so I can get back in the car and race in Abu Dhabi.“I woke up today feeling great and got my first workout in so I just wanted to send you guys a message of positivity, let you know I’m OK. I hope that I can get back in the car soon.”

Hamilton did not say whether he had tested negative yet, which will be a requirement for travel to Abu Dhabi for next Sunday’s race.

Formula One teams and

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Portuguese Grand Prix race on the podium.

(Pool via REUTERS/Rudy Carezzevoli/File Photo) associated personnel were allowed to enter Abu Dhabi on Monday on specific flights from Bahrain, with staff then confined to circuit hotels within a protective bubble.

Hamilton would be able to fly to Abu Dhabi on a private jet but would still need the approval of the authorities.

In the champion’s absence, stand-in George Russell sparkled in Bahrain

but was denied an almost certain win due to a pitstop mixup and late puncture.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has said Russell, who normally drives for the Williams team, would race again if Hamilton is unavailable for Yas Marina.

Practice starts on Friday and Hamilton will need to be cleared and in place by Saturday qualifying if he is to take part in the race.

Argentine senator suggests putting Maradona on banknotes

The new banknote could look something like this. (AFP) BBC News - An Argentine senator has proposed putting an image of the late football star Diego Maradona on new banknotes.

Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, died two weeks ago at the age of 60.Senator Norma Durango presented the bill to Congress on Monday to get the late player on the 1,000-peso ($12, £9) note, the highest denomination.It would feature Maradona’s face on one side and a picture of one of his most famous goals on the other, she said.The bill suggests the notes should “carry the effigy of Diego Armando Maradona on one side and the moment of the second goal against England, scored in Mexico, on 22 June 1986, on the other”, newspaper La Nación reports.

The senator also suggested putting his image on commemorative stamps.

“The idea is not just to recognise our most important idol, but also to think of the economic question,” Ms Durango said. “We feel

that when tourists come here they will want to take a ‘Maradona’ away with them.”

Maradona’s two most famous goals came in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England.The player was captain when Argentina won the tournament, scoring the first “Hand of God” goal against England in the quarter-finals and then going on to score again what was dubbed as the “Goal of the Century”.

The plan is for the banknote to feature the second goal.Ms Durango said the final decision would be made by lawmakers, who are expected to hear her proposal early next year.The 60-year-old football legend died of a heart attack at his home late last month.

Maradona had a successful operation on a brain blood clot earlier in November and had been due to be treated for alcohol dependency.

He scored 34 goals in 91 appearances for Argentina, representing them in four World Cups.

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

Joshua ‘ready for war’ against challenger Pulev SportsMax - Anthony Joshua is “ready for war” against Kubrat Pulev as he hopes to make it a special occasion for those fans able to be present on Saturday.

Heavyweight Joshua defends his IBF, WBA and WBO titles at Wembley Arena in what will be his first outing since regaining the belts from Andy Ruiz Jr a year ago.

The 31-year-old was due to face Pulev, who has lost just once as a pro and is the mandatory challenger with the IBF, back in June, only for that date to be shelved amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Pulev is the final hurdle to clear before a lucrative allBritish fight with reigning WBC champion Tyson Fury next year, though a focused Joshua is expecting a battle against the Bulgarian.

Anthony Joshua is “ready for war” against Kubrat Pulev on Saturday.

“What can I expect? My body is just a vessel that carries my brain, so I’ve trained my brain more so than my body,” Joshua told Sky Sports News as he entered the bio-secure bubble set up for the bout.

“I’m ready for war, I’m ready for a fight. I’m looking forward to it.

“The time will come when we go to war, so I’m looking forward to that date.”

With a relaxation in the COVID-19 restrictions in London, the card will see 1,000 spectators present at the venue, a welcome boost for the reigning champion.

This will be Joshua’s first (Continued on page 33)

Basaksehir and PSG walk off after alleged racism by a match official PARIS (Reuters) Istanbul Basaksehir’s players, closely followed by their opponents Paris St Germain, left the pitch during a Champions League game yesterday after the Turkish club accused a match official of r a c i s m . B a s a k s e h i r ’s Cameroonian assistant coach Pierre Webo was shown a red card in the 13th minute for protesting against a refereeing decision and the Turkish side then walked off the pitch after about 10 minutes of discussions with Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan. PSG then also left the field.

“Our assistant coach, Pierre Webo has been sent off with a ‘racist’ word by the 4th official ref. of the match.

Match has stopped for a while,” Istanbul Basaksehir said on the club’s official Twitter feed.

The State-owned

Anadolu news agency quoted the Basaksehir club’s president as saying the players would not go back onto the field as long as the fourth referee was still there.

“Following an alleged incident involving the 4th official, the match was temporarily suspended,” European soccer ’s governing body UEFA said in a statement.

“After consultation with both teams, it was agreed that the match would restart with a different 4th official.

“UEFA will thoroughly investigate the matter and further communication will be made in due course.”

The fourth official Sebastian Coltescu was speaking Romanian, with TV footage showing him saying, ‘The black one over there. Go and check who he is. The black one over there, it’s not possible to act like that’ after

Webo had vehemently protested against a refereeing decision.

“Why he say negro?”, Basaksehir substitute Demba Ba repeatedly asked match referee Hategan as confusion reigned on the touchline in the Group H match.

TV footage also showed PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe saying ‘Is he serious? We are heading in.

We’re heading in. That’s it, we’re heading in.”

Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter he believed UEFA would take the necessary steps.“We are unconditionally against racism and discrimination in sports and in all areas of life,” he wrote.

Basaksehir posted UEFA’s ‘No to Racism’ banner on Twitter, a post that was retweeted by PSG on their own official account.

Referee Ovdiu Hategan is surrounded by players of the two teams as the match is interrupted. (Reuters/Charles Platiau)

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Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

Australia fight off blazing Kohli to win final T20 match AFP - Virat Kohli blasted 85 but it wasn’t enough to prevent Australia from fighting off a T20 series sweep with a thrilling 12-run victory in the final match in Sydney yesterday.

While Kohli was at the crease in his imperious 61-ball knock, India had hopes of pulling off victory, but when he fell to a sensational diving outfield catch by Daniel Sams 11 balls from the finish India’s hopes went with him.

Before a raucous crowd of over 30,000 — with attendance limits lifted in new Covid-19 protocols by the New South Wales state government — Australia set India a competitive 187-run target to chase.

But India could not replicate their dynamic batting at the Sydney Cricket Ground two nights ago when they sealed the T20 series after losing the preceding one-day international series 2-1 to the home side.

“At one stage when Hardik (Pandya) started going we thought we could pull it off,” Kohli said.

“The middle over phase during our batting cost us the game. A partnership of 30-odd would’ve made it easier for Hardik.

“We are finding ways to come back and give the opposition a scare and the series win is a little asterisk for us to finish the 2020 season on a high.”

Matthew Wade blasted

his highest T20 score and an eventful Glenn Maxwell halfcentury lifted Australia to 186 for five after India had won the toss.

Maxwell had a night out.

He survived two reviews, was caught off a no-ball, had a six prevented by athletic Sanju Samson fielding over the rope and finished with three sixes before he was out for 54 off 36 balls.

Wade put on 90 with Maxwell for the third wicket before he was leg before wicket to Shardul Thakur for 80 — his highest T20 score — off 53 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

“It was a great series, and we just happened to be on the wrong end of the first two,” Australia captain Aaron Finch said.

“It’s the first time in a T20 series we’ve had two legspinners in the side, and they were bold with the short boundaries here, so credit to both of them.”

- Swepson shines Maxwell was given the new ball and got KL Rahul’s wicket with his second delivery in India’s innings, hitting down the throat of Steve Smith at deep mid-wicket.

But Smith put down a similar catch when Kohli was on nine in Maxwell’s next over in what could have been a major turning point.

Sams took a superb diving catch at the second grab in the deep to dismiss Shikhar Dhawan for 28 off leg-spin-

ner Mitchell Swepson in the sixth over.

Smith made amends for his earlier costly fumble to catch Samson for 10 off Swepson and then pulled off an incredible leap over the ropes to prevent a six off Kohli next ball.

Swepson finished his final over with the wicket of Shreyas Iyer, lbw for a firstball duck to finish with three for 23. He was named manof-the-match.

Sams had 20 runs taken off his second over, two sixes

by Kohli and another one from Pandya to rev up India’s run-rate.

India needed 43 runs off the last three overs to win, but leg-spinner Adam Zampa crucially removed Pandya for 20, caught by Finch.

Pandya was subsequently named man of the series for his match-winning innings to guide India to a series win in the second T20 on Sunday.

“After the 2nd ODI we thought we’d think of this as a four-match series and we managed to get three wins, so we’re happy with that,” Pandya said.

Sams took another super diving catch to finish Kohli’s innings and India’s hopes off Andrew Tye in the penultimate over.

Scores: Australia 186 for 5 (Wade 80, Maxwell 54, Sundar 2-34, Natarajan 133) beat India 174 for 7 (Kohli 85, Swepson 3-23, Zampa 1-21) by 12 runs.

Pele F.C. Alumni and Lions Club of...

From page 41 as it empowers them to live a successful life.

Among the educational items were Amazon Tablets, crossword puzzles, monopoly, draught sets, dominoes along with personal items for teenagers both males and females.Both entities expressed delight at being able to team up once again to empower the youths and senior citizens in some small way.

Present to assist and facilitate a smooth flow of activities on Saturday last were nineteen (19) members of the Lions Club of Georgetown, Durban Park.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, residents of the Uncle Eddie’s Home were the focus as they received personal hygiene items compliments of the Pele F.C. Alumni whilst also benefitting from their Home and Christmas tree being decorated for the Festive Season by members of the Lions Club of Georgetown, Durban Park.

On a regular basis, the Lions would donate curtains and decorations to Uncle Eddie’s apart from cleaning and fixing the home so that the residents can feel appreciated and be comfortable..

Decoration of Christmas tree at Uncle Eddie’s Home by members of the Lions Club of Georgetown, Durban Park taking shape.

Wednesday December 09, 2020

PAGE 39

Kaieteur News

De Franca, Haniff lead Wellman Masters to comprehensive win

Greg De Franca (right) accepts his man-of-the-match prize from Hardat Heeranandan.

Half centuries from Greg De Franca and Azeemul Haniff propelled Wellman Masters to a 57-run victory over Success Masters in the final of the Trophy Stall/Mike’s Pharmacy 15over softball competition which was contested on Sunday last at Malteenoes Sports Club.

De Franca and Haniff handed Wellman Masters a solid start with a century opening stand. The in-form De Franca struck

The victorious Wellman Masters team. three fours and five sixes in a top score of 67, while Haniff slammed four fours and three sixes in a fine 63. Troy Lewis chipped in with 18 as Wellman Masters posted 153-1.

Success Masters were restricted to 96-9 in reply. Sham Budram made 43 with one four and two sixes, while Mustapha Azeemullah scored 23 not out. De Franca, Rawl Reid, Sheldon Perch and Imtiaz Mohamed took one wicket each as Success

Masters suffered four run outs in the chase.

De Franca was named man-of-the-match while both teams received trophies.

Earlier, Wellman Masters beat Fisherman Masters by nine wickets. Batting first, Fisherman Masters made 75 while Wellman Masters replied with 76-1 in 12 overs; De Franca scored 50.

Analysis: Cricket faces tough test as long bio-bubble stays add to mental stress CAPE TOWN (Reuters) England’s cricketers hoped rounds of golf would ease the stress of long periods within a bio-secure bubble but after the One-Day series in South Africa was postponed organisers are taking a fresh look at the impact of COVID-19 protocols on players’ mental health.

The decision to postpone the series came after potentially five COVID-19 cases were flagged inside the teams’ bio-secure environment in Cape Town — one South Africa player, two hotel staff and two members of the England touring party.

With cricket tours requiring players to be away from their families for weeks or even months, the sport is having to look carefully at how teams handle the strict conditions imposed on them by host countries.

Some have found the toll of moving from bubble to bubble too much.

England’s Tom Banton and Tom Curran have already pulled out of Australia’s domestic T20 Big Bash League this month.

With England’s players

restricted to bio-bubbles throughout the home summer, and some spending more time locked away while playing in the Indian Premier League, the England and South Africa boards agreed to create a “bio-secure environment”, where some movement was allowed under strict guidelines.

“Golf was a key request for the tour to go ahead and we were comfortable with that because some allowances have to be made for the players’ mental wellbeing,” South Africa team doctor Shuaib Manjra was quoted by the Daily Mail.

“Many of the England players have been in some sort of bubble for months and you cannot expect them to sit in their rooms all day. Such concessions will have to be made if we want to continue playing cricket.”

The teams did manage to play a three-match Twenty20 series prior to the ODI games, which England won 3-0, but the postponement will come as a massive financial blow to embattled Cricket South Africa.

It also casts doubt on

General view as the match is abandoned - First One Day International - South Africa v England - Boland Park, Paarl, South Africa - December 6. (REUTERS/Mike Hutchings)

their ability to host planned future tours with Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia all set to arrive in the coming months.

DIFFERENTAPPROACH Manjra says there would be changes to the bio-secure environment for the visit of Sri Lanka, who start a two-test tour in Pretoria on Boxing Day. “The Sri Lanka series was set to be very different because the hotel is very differ-

ent,” he said.

“Again, we were looking to try and balance the mental wellness with strict COVID19 protocols. But now maybe need a different approach.”

ECB managing director of men’s cricket Ashley Giles said there were early concerns about the bio-secure environment, and that this build-up of anxiety among the players led to the decision to call off the remainder of the tour.

“There’s clearly concern

when infections spring up in what is a supposed to be biosecure environment,” he was quoted as saying by BT Sport.

“That definitely creates a level of anxiety and nervousness.

“At the moment I don’t think there’s anyone who can tell us where these instances have sprung up from. In our group it created a great deal of anxiety.

It came down to a

wellbeing thing in the end.”

Giles said it was likely the tour of South Africa was merely the tipping point for the players.

“I don’t think it’s the last three weeks, it could be the last eight or nine months,” he added.

“These guys have been living in bubbles for long periods of time and their mental health and wellbeing is the absolute priority for us.” (By Nick Said)

PAGE 40

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Head Coach Márcio Máximo believes that Government’s role is essential for progression - eager to get back on the training pitch ahead of crucial encounters

SMNT Head Coach Márcio Máximo and other Technical Staff observes his charges during the warm down session yesterday the the GFF National Training Facility. (Franklin Wilson photo) Ahead of what will certainly be a busy year for football in Guyana, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifying as well as CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 Qualifiers in the USA mere months away, Head Coach of the Guyana Senior Men’s National Team, Márcio Máximo is eager to get back to the training pitch to whip his charges into the best possible shape.

The experienced tactician who is in charge of his fifth national team, having worked with Brazil, Qatar, Cayman Islands and Tanzania believes that the Government has a crucial role to play in ensuring that Guyana maximixes its chances of qualifying and making the nation proud.

Citing the pivotal role played by governments and the private sector in countries where he has worked before, the Brazilian posits that this Government’s position is im-

portant whilst noting that he is optimistic by the new vision for sports he has seen being displayed by the current Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr. ”Guyana is different in many aspects, our population is also different; we have a lot of local players that needs to play, I am not pro international or local players, I am Guyana national head coach. My team and I think about the general aspects of development and exposure for all our players here and overseas; basically its equal opportunity for all, with the progression of the nation top of the agenda.”

Máximo reminded that Guyana is blessed with talented players and if they are not afforded the opportunity to play and given that chance, they will eventually lose motivation.

Guyana’s first match in a

competitive Group ‘F’ for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying is against old rivals and neighbours Trinidad and Tobago on March 25th, 2021, Máximo said, “Notwithstanding the current challenges being faced as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, some level of training needs to commence within the confines of the guidelines and regulations.” ”Our opponents have been making the rounds and preparing and we would like to have the opportunity to commence preparations. I hope that the new government with the new and modern vision that I have seen displayed would join with us and walk together in this quest to make the nation proud. I know bright days are coming for Guyana’s football.”Along with Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in Group F are Saint Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico and Bahamas.The ‘Golden Jaguars’ have been drawn to play Guatemala in the 2021 Gold Cup Prelims (set for June 2021) as a result of their performances in the Concacaf Nations League group stage which was played in September, October and November of 2019.

Máximo expressed gratitude to Guyana Football Federation President and his executive as well as Technical Director Ian Greenwood and his Technical staff for the work that has been done so far.

He noted that they have been meeting on a regular basis using available technology to keep up to date and informed so that when the green light is given to recommence training, they will hit the road running. (Franklin Wilson)

Wednesday December 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 41

Pele F.C. Alumni and Lions Club of Georgetown, Durban Park host Christmas Walk in and Collect Gift Event

This family about to leave with their gifts.

F

or the third successive year, the Pele F.C. Alumni in association with the Lions Club of Georgetown, Durban Park which is led by President Carol Parris brought early Christmas smiles to the faces of 140 children between the ages of 3-14 when the Christmas Wa l k i n a c t i v i t y w a s h e l d .

This year’s activity was held following the strict guidelines and measures as outlined by

This youngster is all smiles below the mask as he walks way with his gifts. the Ministry of Health and the National Task Force as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Whilst being curtailed, the happy children and their parents made the trek to the Ruimveldt Lions Club, Festival City to collect their gift bags which included educational and recreational items.

Pele F.C. Alumni stated that they will continue to focus on education of the youths (Continued on page 38)

Children waiting to collect their gifts

Head Coach Márcio Máximo believes that Government’s role is essential for progression - eager to get back on the training pitch ahead of crucial encounters

SMNT Head Coach Márcio Máximo and other Technical Staff chat with players after a warm down session on Feb. 28, 2020 at the GFF National Training Facility. (Franklin Wilson photo)

rt o p S

Australia fight off blazing Kohli to win final T20 match Virat Kohli square drives, Australia vs India, 3rd T20I, Sydney, December 8, 2020 © Getty Images

Australia’s Matthew Wade hit his highest T20 score.

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