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No EIA required NEWS for waste treatment plant at Friendship - EPA AIETEUR

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Thursday Edition December 10, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 49 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday 113,222

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

Petrobras uses Guyana to pressure Brazil into granting oil permits p.

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19-year-old is first locally trained and certified helicopter pilot p.

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Govt. to ‘name Man drowns trying Minister and shame’ -Hamilt on p. non-compliantp. to remove seine 12 security firms 13 from boat propeller

Barge slams into Demerara Harbour Bridge C VID-19 creating new opportunities for corruption

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- Only small vehicles, minibuses allowed to cross p.

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- UNDP prepared to strengthen transparency, accountability, anti-corruption measures

How was one foreign company given 30 fishing licences Mr. Ramjattan?

Khemraj Ramjattan, the Leader of the Alliance For Change, is incomparably barefaced. Here he is agitated over two trawler licences. This is the same man, who was so dumbstruck that he could not utter a single syllable about oil. But now, he wants to go to the National Assembly, over two trawler licences.

We encourage Mr. Ramjattan, now thunderous with outrage, to take his grouse to the National Assembly. While there, he must tell all Guyana about the seven persons who have trawler licences, of which six are Guyanese, who together with one foreigner, hold a total of 80 plus licences. He must tell all Guyana about the 30 licences held by that single foreigner. How about that, Mr. Ramjattan? And, now that he has found his voice, how about going to the National Assembly to protest over the rights to our gold, bauxite, timber, and especially our oil.

Mr. Ramjattan should inform the National Assembly about the secret deals and the APNU+AFC’s stubborn refusal to renegotiate the corrupt and criminal clauses in those deals. How about that Mr. Ramjattan?

Now that silence has been broken over two trawler licences, why not work up a rage over potentially hundreds of billions of US dollars lost or given away in secret partnership with Exxon by the PPP/C and APNU+AFC. And speaking of Exxon, tell the National Assembly and the Guyanese people, Mr. Ramjattan, how the fishing catch near the Exxon oil rigs have been affected by the oil operations. Speak up and speak out, Mr. Ramjattan!

Poor Law Commission established to review list of 12,000 on public assistance

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Renegotiation of oil contracts/deals 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

Thursday December 10, 2020

Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Petrobras uses Guyana to pressure Brazil into granting oil permits

By Kemol King

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razilian stateowned oil c o m p a n y Petrobras appears to be using Guyana's petroleum regulatory system to pressure Brazil's regulators into granting environmental permi t s q u i c k l y. S & P Global, a global business analytics and information firm, said that Petrobras Chief Executive Officer, Roberto Castello Branco, pointed to Guyana as a likely business destination for the company.

Branco reportedly registered his unease that Brazil is taking too long to grant environmental permits to drill in Brazil's Fox do Amazonas Basin.

"This has to be resolved," Branco reportedly said during an address at the Rio Oil & Gas 2020 digital conference.

"We have big oil prospects there, and we're prohibited while Guyana is enjoying a moment and opening up," he added.

S&P said that the area Petrobras is eager to drill in, could see similar success as ExxonMobil has found in Guyana's Stabroek Block.

There, Exxon has made 18 discoveries starting in 2015, and has received government approval for three field developments in a very short time.

"For now, we're going to keep betting on Brazil," Castello Branco said. "But it could be that we go there, too."

The Petrobras CEO said that the company has been invited by Guyana to participate in its licensing rounds and that Brazil may very well do that if Brazil's regulators continue to "drag their feet."

Guyana's government has made no public pronouncement about licensing new oil blocks.

Further, Guyana is yet to revise its petroleum laws to provide for any new licensing regimes.

In any case, Guyana's quick approvals of

Petrobras CEO, Roberto Castello Branco environmental permits for oil companies do not necessarily indicate that Guyana's regulator has been doing its job.

Under the government of A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted a permit to ExxonMobil on the same day that it received the 1,500 page environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Liza Phase One

project.

International Lawyer, Melinda Janki, discovered this while compiling information for a case brought against the EPA in court by former head of the Transparency Instit u t e Guyana Inc. (TIGI).

The regulatory body was sued for giving ExxonMobil a 20-year permit, when the law only allows for five-year permits to be issued. That lawsuit was successful.

This case demonstrates

how the EPA has been quick to grant permits without conducting complete reviews, and with terms that are not necessarily inkeeping with the law.

Since the new government came in, the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has also been criticized for the manner in which it goes about conducting reviews. Janki and former Petroleum Advisor to the President, Dr. Jan Mangal, had both advised Guyana to take all the time it needs to review the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP) and EIA. Dr. Mangal had told this newspaper that proper reviews take much more than a few months, and would require competent specialized teams.

The PPP/C Government hired former Premier of Alberta, Canada, Alison Redford, to head the review team. Redford was forced to resign from politics after she mismanaged public funds while in office.

The hiring of the former premier is further complicated by the fact that she benefitted from thousands of Canadian dollars donated to her party by an ExxonMobil subsidiary in Canada, called Imperial Oil. The matter raised questions about whether Redford held a conflict of interest in her review of Exxon's US$9B Payara project.

These concerns are further exacerbated by the fact that the final product of Redford's review gave no finality to two of the controversial environmental infractions being committed

by ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block, the dumping of thousands of barrels of produced water every day, and the flaring of more than 12 billion cubic feet of natural gas to date.

The PPP/C government considered Redford a fit and proper individual to review the project, and the permits were handed out just six weeks after she began her review.

COVID-19 creating new opportunities for corruption - UNDP prepared to strengthen transparency, accountability, anti-corruption measures

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s the devastating socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to reverberate across the globe, the virus is creating, “new opportunities to exploit weak oversight a n d i n a d e q u a t e transparency, diverting funds away from people in their hour of greatest need”.

This disclosure was made by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), even as International AntiCorruption Day 2020 was observed yesterday.

“Corruption is also fuelling distrust of leaders and institutions -- and depleting valuable resources for financing development and recovery. We are seeing the impacts of corruption being felt in service delivery, procurement processes, and the management of funds, economic stimulus packages and social protection measures. As a result, corruption has manifested itself through the circulation of defective ventilators, poorly manufactured

COVID-19 tests, and counterfeit medicines -while the equitable distribution of life-saving vaccines is at severe risk.”

According to UNDP, every year, an estimated $2.6 trillion is lost to corruption globally. At least $500 billion is siphoned off due to corruption in the health sector -- that may be more than the total cost of ensuring global Universal Health Coverage for everyone.

“On the ground in 170 countries, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting governments to

integrate transparency, accountability and anticorruption in both response and recovery priorities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our support has focused on everything from working with the World Health Organization and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to integrate anti-corruption measures into health systems -- to supporting Ukraine to implement a new e-platform to increase transparency in procurement.”

Indeed, amongst a range of areas, UNDP's Next Generation of AntiCorruption programming

aims to further harness the benefits of technology and innovation in enhancing transparency and openness.

“UNDP itself takes all cases of financial mismanagement and other irregularities extremely seriously to ensure that the organization is fit-forpurpose. In concrete terms, we are working to continuously improve our oversight and risk management systems.

Indeed, the entire United

Nations system will continue to prioritize transparency and accountability, in and beyond the COVID-19 response,” the UN body said.

This year's UN campaign for International AntiCorruption Day 2020, 'Recover with Integrity', emphasizes that an inclusive COVID-19 recovery can only be achieved with integrity and accountability.

“The UN will be on hand, at the request of governments, to strengthen critical

transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption measures.

That includes implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and monitoring the progress of Sustainable Development Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda.

In sum, standing up to corruption will accelerate progress on the Global Goals towards that more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.”

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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

Dream or nightmare?

Professor Amy Myers Jaffe of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, covered wide-ranging areas in an article in The Conversation on September 22 titled, “Pandemic crushes Guyana’s dreams of big oil profits as ‘resource curse’ looms over oil-producing nations.” The great promise from oil for Guyana, the massive finds by Exxon, that earlier 750,000 barrels a day production projection by 2025, and the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo and its signals of Guyana’s newfound international status.

Professor Jaffe covered territory familiar to Guyanese (as is now becoming commonplace with foreign commentators): the Venezuela challenge, coronavirus troubles and the related consequences, the corruption spawning ground, and “political instability and ethnic conflict.” From all of this, it can be quickly gathered that outsiders know as much about Guyana, deep down, as we know ourselves.

To our embarrassment, the foreigners can tell us at length about our elections family feuds and the associated brawls. And that “Guyana’s new president, Mohamed Irfaan (sic) Ali, finally took office in August, that he campaigned carefully on better oil governance, and that “he promised to get Guyana its fair share of oil revenues.” Unfortunately, recent developments with a tainted Canadian consultant, Payara, the EPA head, flaring and environment, and Exxon in general, only confirmed that, promises aside, it is business as usual. That is, the usual corrupt and unconvincing kind.

Though its crude has barely left the ground, Guyana is already counting on oil revenues to patch deficits, differences, and launch into the stratosphere. In classic drunken sailor fashion, the government has signalled its readiness, if not impatience, with approaching our many challenges cautiously. A borrowing binge, or intentions to engage in one, is making daily media rounds from a president and his senior people, who throw around a billion here and several more on this and that to thrill believers and the naïve.

The mentality is of borrow today; pay back tomorrow, or whenever later arrives. Of course, seasoned lenders, who were circling like sharks inside and outside of Guyana’s waters have just the right debt products (the soft terms of reasonable rates, grace periods, and extended repayment periods) to fit our needs and circumstances.

From all appearances, Guyana’s new leaders have not been able to resist the urge to pay today’s costs by borrowing against future oil revenues. Although, they have not come out openly and said so, this is the bottom line, because this is precisely what the Guyana government is doing today.

Leaders have used the lengthy elections delays and the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as bases for the slump in the economy, and of the immediate need to jumpstart the sluggish economy with as many financial jolts as possible.

Currently, cash is doled out via coronavirus relief, and significant tax eases, all good things, but costly. Further, there has been the unveiling of a host of high-priced projects, all of which have their place; except that now is not the time for some of them, and the money to pay for them are made readily available for foreign lending agencies, is proving to be much of a magnetic hook to resist taking many bites. Because we are biting off so much so quickly, we will be hooked, and subject ourselves to dangerous debt loads.

But this is what the magic of oil does to poor countries.

It makes for believed supermen of limited leaders, who think that they can do little wrong, since they have all these monies waiting to be collected, and costly missteps can be both afforded and cushioned.

President Ali has promised to create a petroleum commission to ensure transparency for how Guyana’s oil revenues are spent and to prevent undue political interference in the oil and gas sector. A word of caution is timely on that presidential promise. Political interference is second nature to Guyana, almost a culture; and, when the

Thursday December 10, 2020

President Ali’s invitation to past presidents is a bold, magnanimous move DEAR EDITOR, President Ali last week extended invitations to all the past presidents to meet on December 15.

The full agenda is not known but the President has indicated that it would be an opportunity to exchange different perspectives on Guyana’s development and set up a framework for future engagement.

In the world we aspire to, our politicians would put country before self when it comes to the crunch. This does not happen often enough. The recent election impasse was resolved with the mediation of the international community including CARIFTA, the Commonwealth and the ABCE countries. No doubt quiet diplomacy has continued.

Now it’s time to move on as a country for the benefit of the people and to focus resources at tacking the challenges the country faces at this amazing point in its history. Guyana has had its ups and downs. However, at no point before has it been simultaneously presented with such great challenge and such opportunity.

It is hoped that these talks turnout to be substantive. Moreover, that they re-

sult in real cooperation that helps focus the country’s efforts on the important tasks ahead.

However, that hope is not without trepidation. I t is accompanied by the concern generated by the little evidence so far of Mr. Granger putting country first. And wonder whether there will be attempts to undercut the goodwill with red herrings.

For example, in the past, while some have taken to extolling the merits of shared governance, others have even put forward the suggestion of some sort of federation of states for Guyana with Region 4 being carved up.

The former is opportunistic and the latter conducive to creating fiefdoms and squabbling.

Others are talking about constitutional and electoral reform, which is fine where needed, at the appropriate time, and not to the detriment of currently pressing issues.

We can have the perfectly best constitution, all-encompassing electoral reform, and the best form of government to little avail. The most essential element is people of good will, and in particular, leaders of good will who respect and abide by the insti-

tutions and processes implemented.

Imperfect as is our constitution, electoral system and form of governance, there is no fatal flaw that in itself gives rise to or could validly be said to underlie any sense of grievance. It is a democratic system, which maybe can be improved upon but is perfectly capable of working as is. We have seen this. In this democratic system, the government is chosen by the electorate.

They are given five years to manage the country for the benefit of the people.

At the end of that period, they come back to the people who can either give them another term or choose others to manage the country.

It may not be perfect but it works in countries all over the world.

As the late Winston Churchill said, “Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time”.

Moreover, left to their own device, most Guyanese

across the spectrum show they can and do accommodate each other to a much greater extent than some would have – i.e. those who would use division to consolidate power.

Look at the makeup of the population. The mixed segment is the fastest growing.

By the next election, this segment of voters will be as large and influential as the other two major ethnic segments.

Guyana is a rich mixture of cultures.

And in this spirit of unity, the present government has set out an agenda and infrastructure development programme that it hopes will lead to the improved economic well-being of all Guyanese.

There is no illusion that economic well-being is the singular magic bullet for all conflict. However, it is a foundation stone from which we can build. It seeks to address the basic needs of everyone – food and shelter, while it at the same time ambitiously moving up the chain with safety, health-care, education and opportunity. Given the trauma the country endured for the fivemonths continued acts of disruption since, and (Continued on page 5)

Government must be commended for pandemic response DEAR EDITOR, The COVID-19 cases currently stand at 5,665 at the time of penning this letter but cases of persons who have recovered are 4,749 making this situation manageable and not problematic for the authorities here.

They must be commended for successfully taming the beast that the pandemic could become dreadful and deadly, killing thousands if left untreated or allowed to spread throughout the country. This milestone was accomplished by prudent

management, testing and largely compliance with the curfews and the advice of the Government.

The central Government quickly managed to access funding and resources necessary to ensure Guyana was ready for the fight against this world-pandemic.

The fight to stay alive and healthy spills over until Guyana gets its vaccine and, even then until everyone becomes vaccinated.

Therefore, please heed the curfew and stay away from large gatherings and crowds

current commissions appointed to oversee and pilot forward different areas of Guyana’s business are considered, it becomes clear that tampering with the makeup and operations of any political commission would be irresistible. It would simply have too much power to be left to the visions and autonomy of people who are not party people, or those who have both the required expertise for Guyana to maximize its oil benefits, while possessing a fiercely independent strain to boot.

In the midst of all this, the once vaunted opposition is now in search of itself, but failing to come up with any substance. This is how weak, ineffectual, and inconsequential its presence and contributions have come to mean for Guyana.

Professor Jaffe’s position is that, for this country “to thrive in the long term, Guyana will need to sink much of its oil earnings into building other sectors to avoid overdependence on one volatile source of revenue.” Said differently diversify, as in the examples of “Malaysia and Dubai,” is part of the local blueprint to avoid the trap of “resource curse.” The concern is whether, beside the lip service, those at the helm are listening.

And if they actually do, whether they will understand and respond positively. The outlook is not encouraging on the leadership front. Thus, the dream threatens to become the worst of specters: a permanent nightmare.

where they can be avoided.

Buy your liquor and drink at home where it is possible amongst four persons that you know, six feet apart. You do not have to leave and go out to have fun for the holidays. When the year 2021 comes, you’ll be here and ready to go through it, happy

and safe.

Be responsible and think twice about what you are doing this Christmas! I want to say a special thanks to all the doctors and nurses that kept us safe and gave us the will to fight on.

Yours truly, Baldeo Mathura

DPP offers hope for justice to be served DEAR EDITOR, I was happy and elated to hear that the Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack has given Gary Best notice of Appeal for his part in the death of a cyclist. How Best managed to get off is foreign to me and in my opinion, if allowed, it could send a message to would-be violators and violators of the law that if you are well connected then you are untouchable and if you are poor and not connected, then you must pay and face full punishment.

I am not pronouncing on whether or not Best is guilty or not but I am of the firm view that there was some amount of negligence which occurred and influenced the outcome.

I am glad that the law will take a second look at this just to ease the minds of thousands both at home and abroad who believe there was

some skullduggery afoot when he was freed. More importantly, the prosecution of high profile cases should be treated with a certain amount of seriousness on the part of the relevant state agencies.

We need more training and resources for our prosecutors and the Guyana Police Force must ensure that it is observing all the necessary safety and accuracy protocols as well as requirements for equipment.

Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. The scales of justice are balanced but justice must be blind if it is to work to safeguard society.

People want to have confidence in the law and the courts or you will see persons taking matters into their own hands.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

Thursday December 10, 2020

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Truth and reconciliation, oil Embezzlement, not misappropriation have one factor in common. place, and the necessity of management, and the economy should of funds That is the absolute lack of oversight as part of our DEAR EDITOR, oversight. So many individu- norms. top presidential meeting agenda It is somewhat dismaying

Dear Editor, I like the idea. This one about gathering five presidents (former and present) in one room. It was something I have always pushed for, but I confess that the PPP did me one better. My thinking was of two at a table; President Ali called for five at the same time.

This is way better than the three kings of Christmas carol fame.

I have a few suggestions on what should be high up on the agenda of conversation. Only three of them, and there are in this order: truth and reconciliation, oil management, and the economy.

As I visualize this, the event of the 15th (if it occurs) does not have to deteriorate to the Ides of December, but the first step in our thousand-milelong journey to finding out who we are, what we can do, and which starts with how we should be. Come to think of it: how we must be, no ifs ands or buts about it.

I take my three suggestions one by one, and make a start myself from my lowly rung at the bottom of the ladder.

Truth and reconciliation, or race relations to some others, many others who are conscientious and patriotic Guyanese.

The two (conscientious and patriotic) do not necessarily go together in this society. For as I have found out, there are many-pious, dedicated, even honest who are desirous of truth and reconciliation, but only if it is their truths, solely on their terms.

Their truths, as reinforced by their passions and convictions, one sided and prejudiced to be sure; unhelpful and uninspiring, without a doubt. For if we are going to embark (starting with our presidents) to converse about truths that could possibly offer a glimmer of the way toward much-needed reconciliation, then those truths must be of both sides, of both fears, of the totality of our misgivings and our hurts.

Going way back, we cannot speak about Wismar, without getting to the bottom of where the ill-fated RH Carr and its human cargo was

sent. Who authored, who executed, on whose hands their blood rests, as well as those countless agonies that came in the aftermath. Similarly, we have to speak not only of the evils delivered with hundreds of young men killed in the circumstances before and after the Mash Jailbreak, but we must also be brave enough and honest enough to speak to Lusignan, Rose Hall, Bartica, Lindo Creek and Linden, and all that were swept into the outer darkness of non-events and non-priorities; perhaps, even nontruths. When we are principled enough to lay out the whole dirty history of our political and racial lingerie, then we would have made a start to talking about truth.

To those who are wise enough to appreciate the nuance, it should be noticed that I substituted ‘lingerie’ for laundry. It is deliberate and intended to convey the intimacy of our disfigured nakedness where matters of racial and political truths are concerned. We cannot continue to be so deceptive and selective with our memories or our practices. We cannot afford the expenditure in time and opportunity and hopes squandered.

From the first sobering truths that could foster some elements of communal and national reconciliation, I dare to sail into the seas of our oil.

At this time, I am so far gone; there is no turning back. We – our political leaders, our very own selves – have not been truthful on the way that is known to best manage this oil of ours.

We cannot even manage to the best our day-to-day public service, our courts, our police, our capital city, because we are so divided, but we think that we can manage this oil wealth wisely with one side flapping futilely and the other flopping around powerlessly. This is what Exxon loves; this is what keeps us apart and truncates our mas-

sive oil potentials; this is what renders us flipping the finger and more at each other, as the frustrations and suspicions pile from hell to heaven. In a word or phrase: our oil is best managed with heads and hearts together. If this is too much for any one president to comprehend, then I would be flabbergasted that five of them, in the combined wisdoms of their years, their graces, and their visions, would find this to be uninterpretable, therefore elusive.

And on my last humble suggestion to Guyana’s five presidents-whether sitting together or far apart-is that they understand and discern what truth and reconciliation, and inclusive and robust oil management could do for the economy of this country and its citizens. And then where that could take us and make of us.

It is about cautioning about preemptive borrowings on a grand scale; about prudent selection of viable projects and still more careful midwifery of spending; it is about clean governance, through impeccable stewardship of money and matters that belong to the people, and should be for the people. I think much could come out of a presidential powwow and peace pipe occasion. I exhort that it happens.

I urge that the collective efforts of men for whom I hold varying measures of regard, ranging from below zero to not so far from there, to take us to higher ground. If I can manage my many disappointments in all of them, then they can and must foster the goodwill to go somewhere together and take Guyana there.

Yours truly, GHK Lall

to read the various articles on the numerous instances of funds not accounted for. I once defined such situations as “misappropriation” of funds. It’s anything but that.

Embezzlement is a better word.

To revisit a few: Articles ranging from discovered financial irregularities at various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, to dubious land deals; to mismanaged funds at Guyana National Printers Limited, all

als seem to have free rein to “manage” anyhow; knowing fully well no one is looking over their shoulders.

It is the same reason why the government isn’t pleased with the contractors’ costly project at CJIA. As the country encourages more investors to come and work and live among us, and Guyana is more exposed internationally, one really hopes that more emphasis is placed on the necessary checks and balances being in

Since oil has been discovered in Guyana, more and more articles are appearing in international online media, that is non-oil related. Financial bandits should not be given a free pass.

Normalizing the absence of oversight shouldn’t be an acceptable way of doing things.

The word “o-v-e-r-s-i-gh-t” should be added to the vocabulary for 2021.

Yours truly, Chi Kansi

Demerara Harbour Bridge DEAR EDITOR, When initially it was given several nicknames, one was ‘Longest Floating Socialist Bridge’, referring to Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham during whose regime the Demerara Harbour Bridge was erected). It actually turned out to have floated many years ‘longer’ than the period this major engineering initiative was predicted to last – something like thirty (30) years. Who is counting since? It’s many more now.

Indeed there was little, if any, preconception that it would endure the rate and much moreso the weight, of the flow of traffic currently

experienced. More recent generations of regular motor vehicle drivers not to mention their heavy-duty colleagues, would hardly slow down long enough to reflect on the engineering maintenance feat being performed day and night over the years by too little appreciated groups of dedicated managers and technicians. Nor does one immediately recall any public recognition of the miracle of sustaining this floating bridge over water so long after its estimated lifespan.

One hopes that this oversight will be appropriately redressed, preferably before the award of a contract for the

President Ali’s invitation to...

From page 4 the countless times Granger has reneged on his word, many undoubtedly have distaste for the government inviting dialogue with Mr. Granger. One would have hoped that leadership of more integrity would have emerged from his party.

Today we learnt of the continued intransigence and offensive behaviour of opposition leader Harmon, refusing to accept a courtesy call from outgoing Canadian High Commissioner Lillian Chatterjee. However, President Ali has made a bold and magnanimous move in the better interest of the country.

It is an opportunity for everyone to put the best interest of the country first. In this spirit, the country could only hope for the best outcome of this session between all the Past-Presidents and our current President.

Yours truly, Ron Cheong

proposed (new) Demerara Harbour Bridge.

According to Stabroek News of December 05, 2020, there are nineteen (19) companies who have ‘expressed interest’ (one withdrawal) in this socio-economic engineering project. Nationally, they appear to be represented as follows: · China – 8 · Combination of China and Spain – 1 · Guyana – 3 · Companies associated with Guyana – 2 · Netherlands – 2 · India – 1 · USA – 1 · Combination of Italy and Colombia – 1 Presumably, the track records of all the above will be thoroughly examined (in the process taking into account the factory at Skeldon and recent performance at CJIA).For certain, its lifespan should be no less than that of the ‘Longest Floating Socialist Bridge’. If only culturally, the Chinese companies would have what we once called ‘first jump’. Most important however, is the guarantee of ‘staying afloat’!

Yours truly, Earl John

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Kaieteur News

The health of Guyanese manganese workers must be given priority over profit DEAR EDITOR, Once again, the government is planning to mine manganese with a restart planned for April of 2021.

In the previous administration, there was the death of Chinese workers and the toxic and unhealthy situation was attributed to bats.

With the reopening of the mines, new safeguards must be put in place to prevent the reoccurrence of health issues, especially those attributed to the direct unhealthy and toxic aspects of manganese mining.

It has been proven that this industry is unsafe for the environment as well as nearby communities.

The deaths and illnesses

caused during the first attempt of extracting this mineral does not provide a high expectation for a safe and environmentally friendly undertaking with a company that has a poor history of keeping their workers safe.

The last time quite a bit of information was swept under the rug, and now it appears that the new government has forgotten what had happened and the additional peril that can be caused by manganese mining.

Guyana cannot fly Guyanese workers out of the country and hide the information of what has made them ill as Bosai did the last time.

The health and safety of

the 400 Guyanese workers expected to be hired must be given priority over profit. Ensuring this will be difficult in such a low margin endeavour, where increasing profit provides an incentive to cut corners.

The EPA needs to be extremely strict if this project is to be seriously considered.

No one wants a generation in Matthew’s Ridge whose brain is neurologically impacted due to dangerous manganese pollution.

This is not a trivial undertaking and if recent history repeats itself, the area may be in for yet another tragedy.

Yours truly, Mr. Jamil Changlee

Irfaan Ali has thrown his administration’s own COVID-19 regulations aside DEAR EDITOR, Irfaan Ali, head of the PPP administration, has thrown their COVID-19 regulations over his shoulders and has become Donald Trump’s heirapparent in disdain for these necessary societal restrictions.

The most recent example is a meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Lilian Chatterjee in which he is handing over a token of appreciation; there is no social distancing and the President refuses to wear a mask as in instructed in the administration’s recently gazetted “COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No.12).

These strictures are obvious encumbrances to a regime eager to show it is fully in charge and it is business as usual.

The ubiquitous and pervasive pandemic’s local spread challenges that these notions daily by the increase in infections and sadly, regretfully, deaths.

As against robust, dynamic governance in a new age, we have episodes like the recent Christmas tree light up at Tuschen, Region 3. Photos of this event were happily published by controversial Minister of Education Priya Manickchand on Facebook.

In any health conscious society, this would be characterized as a super-spreader event, but in Guyana, the PPP encourages hundreds of Guyanese to gather in defiance to laws put in place to guarantee their own health and safety and that of the rest of the public.

If there is any question where the PPP is on the management of COVID, the increased need to seek COVID relief funds as a country

should provide adequate answers. In a recent edition of Kaieteur News it was stated, “The Irfaan Ali administration is heading towards getting its third loan to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, on a road to racking up so much debt for Guyana that by the time it gets out of the pandemic, Guyana will owe banks a further US$60 million.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is currently considering granting Guyana a loan of US$30.4 million to fight COVID-19, on top of the US$22M it gave Guyana last month.”

The challenges are great a wild, unabated spread locally, which threatens to be exacerbated by issues percolating on our borders.

And if citizens were drunk with any confidence in the healthcare system under the PPP, the report of the six-dayold infant dying from COVID and the baby’s parents testing negative should be sobering. Stabroek News headline read, “CMO says infant who died with COVID could have been infected at hospital.”

The paper stated, “According to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Narine Singh, a nosocomial infection, also called a Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI), is an (Continued on page 22)

Thursday December 10, 2020

Fighting corruption requires placing more women in decision-making DEAR EDITOR, In Guyana, the people most negatively affected by corruption are women and men who are workers, farmers, small business people and the poor.

Therefore, women and men, from the grassroots, have to take the lead as corruption hunters and resisters at the national, regional and local levels.

But to successfully prevent and minimize corruption, there has to be gender equality, that is, the full and equal participation of women in the public and private sectors.

When an equal number of women are in decision-making positions in politics, there are meaningful changes for everyone and less corruption.

The eight (8) top least corrupt countries in the world, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland, have a female President or Prime Minister, at least 40% female Cabinet Ministers and at least 38% female Members of Parliament.

Two other least corrupt countries, Belgium and Sweden, do not have a Prime Minister or President but there are at least 50% female Cabinet Ministers and at least 41% female Members of Parliament.

However, there are exceptions. Three of the most corrupt countries (Bangladesh, Myanmar and Togo) are led by women but they have a low representation of women in their Cabinets and Parliaments.

Therefore, to advance human development in Guyana, there must be gender equality in politics.

There has to be at least a female President or Prime Minister, and at least 50% of elected representatives in the Cabinet, Parliament, Regional Democratic Councils, Town Councils and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils must be female.

But to elect more women to positions of power will not be sufficient to minimize corruption.

Both female and male representatives have to be directly linked and accountable to grassroots communities.

In many countries, the

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is supporting the empowerment of grassroots women’s groups to fight daily against corrupt activities by public officials and politicians who demand bribes and sexual favours in the following areas - police, health, electricity, water, housing, documentation (travel documents and birth, death and marriage certificates), jobs, permits for micro and small businesses and land transactions.

These campaigns are led by outstanding women who are exposing a wide range of grand and petty corrupt activities.

In India, in the state of Assam, Monika Singh is leading a grassroots women’s group to end the high rate of maternal deaths by stopping the payment of bribes when poor pregnant women try to access medical services. In Bangalore, women like Sangeetha Purushothaman, Tara Tobin, Shruthi Vissa and Priya Pillai lead the Best Practices Foundation that fights against the misuse of power by local officials in poor and marginalized communities.

In the state of Gujarat, a women’s group successfully democratized local council elections by ensuring the full and equal participation of women voters and the election of women.

In Africa, Dr. Ngozi Okronjo Iweala, world renowned economist and former Finance Minister of Nigeria, oversaw the following: an audit of the national oil company that exposed the stealing of billions of US dollars in oil revenue, an agreement with the United Kingdom to seize and return funds that were stolen and taken out of the country and the strengthening of lax political campaign finance laws.

In Liberia, Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey, a former government employee, published a children’s book, titled “Gbagba” (meaning Trickery), that targeted children between 5 and 10 years for a national conversation on corruption. The book is widely distributed in schools.

Neajai Pailey was also instrumental in exposing corruption by some applicants

who used forged documents and bribes to get foreign scholarships.

In Kenya, a grassroots women’s group empowered female farmers to stand up against corrupt officials who wanted to deprive them of their lands.

In Guatemala, whistleblower Judge Claudia Escobar of the Court of Appeal exposed grand corruption involving illegal interference in the judiciary by the Vice-President of the country and the former President of the Congress.

In Spain, Ana Maria Garrido Ramos, a local government employee in Madrid, exposed corruption that involved bribes for government contracts and an illegal slush fund for the People’s Party (PP). The PP’s Treasurer was jailed for 29 years and fined US$ 51 million.

The key businessman who organized the illegal activity was jailed for 51 years.

In the USA, Congresswoman Alexandria OcasioCortez (AOC) is exposing corruption in political financing.

Based on my work experience in Canada and Guyana, I enjoyed learning from women leaders and colleagues who were great communicators, effective builders of teams, successful problemsolvers and consistent promoters of gender and ethnic equality.

Regardless of my responsibilities in those institutions, I always successfully resisted any attempts by higher authorities to dismiss female professionals.

Two of the most outstanding professionals who I worked with for ten years at the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) were Senior Investment Officer Janet Kissoon and Senior Export Promotion Officer Uchenna Gibson.

They were pro-active professionals who provided high quality advice and services when facilitating and promoting investments and exports.

They were incorruptible, inclusive, fair, balanced, understanding and helpful.

In four confidential client surveys between 2001 and (Continued on page 22)

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

For too long the People of Guyana have stood silent.

It is time that your voice and actions be more strident.

You are sitting at home complaining of a few dollars here and a handout there.

Our politicians have sold our wealth.

They have lined their pockets and fattened their bank accounts.

Demand renegotiation now!

Nothing else will be accepted.

Demand renegotiation now

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Thursday December 10, 2020

Fix it now - President Ali tells NIS head at Region 2 outreach

P

resident Irfaan Ali has instructed the representative of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to "fix it now" after hearing multiple concerns by Region Two residents.

According to information released by the Office of the President, the actions were taken during yesterday's Presidential outreach. One of the resounding issues raised was the challenge with payment remitted to the NIS. President Ali said that all Guyanese should be treated fairly and that all agencies and government offices should be

working to enhance their lives.

General Manager of the NIS, Holly Greaves, who was present at the outreach, assured the President that the issues would be addressed forthwith as she subsequently met with the aggrieved residents.

The outreach is aimed at reducing the bureaucracy and will see the collaboration among various agencies to address concerns at the community level.

Representatives from the Office of the President, the Ministry of Housing and Water, the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Ministry of Foreign

President Irfaan Ali yesterday heard quite a number of complaints about NIS while on an outreach in Region Two. affairs and International Cooperation, Guyana Power and Light (GPL), National Insurance Scheme (NIS), National Drainage

and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Ministry of Health, the Guyana Police Force and regional officials, among others, were with the

President yesterday at the Regional Democratic Council in Anna Regina, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Baramita man killed during Region Six records 17 of 32 new COVID-19 cases fight with brother-in-law

A

man said to be in his early 30's, was allegedly slain on Monday by his brother-in-law during a “fight.� Dellon Alanzo of Moran Area, Baramita, North West district, Region One was reportedly killed at his home during a drinking session.

Reports suggest that the man received a fatal blow to his head with a piece of wood around 23:55 hrs.

Earlier that evening Alanzo and his wife had begun imbibing alcohol at

their house. A few hours later, the wife's brother joined them.

This newspaper learnt that Alanzo and the man (his brother-in-law) had an old grievance which resurfaced during the social drink.

An argument began between the two and soon escalated into a physical altercation.

It was during the fight that his brother-in-law found a piece of wood and allegedly dealt him a blow to the head.

Alanzo reportedly fell

and the suspect ran away.

It was further alleged that the man's wife had checked on him and was convinced that he was okay.

The woman, according to sources, then retired to bed.

It was revealed that the following day, when she awoke, the woman realized that Alanzo was unresponsive. She immediately rushed down to central Baramita where she reported the matter.

Up to press time, the suspect was reportedly still on the run.

T

he Ministry of Health yesterday reported that of the 32 newly recorded COVID-19 cases, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) accounted for 17 of them.

Region Two and Region Eight recorded one new case each, while Region Three recorded two and Region

Four 11.

This information was presented in the Ministry's daily dashboard update which also revealed that the newly recorded cases have increased the total number of confirmed cases to 5,732.

Five persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at the Liliendaal Infectious Disease

Hospital, 32 are in institutional quarantine, 47 are in institutional isolation and 638 are in approved home isolation.

The COVID-19 death toll remains at 154 while 4,888 persons have recovered. Additionally, 328,782 persons have so far been tested nationally for the virus.

Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

The government's cock-and-bull excuse T

he explanation provided, as to why Guyana cannot accept the estimated 1,000 Cubans who have assembled at South Drain in Suriname, is untenable. That explanation has been provided by the Hon. Attorney General who has unconventionally struggled to sound convincing.

The Attorney General (AG) is reported as saying that Guyana does not have the facilities to handle such a large influx of Cubans, which he says amounts to thousands.

But it is the same thousands who would have come through the airports, in any event, had the country's borders been opened earlier.

And just what facilities is the Attorney General referring to?

The AG says that the government has a responsibility to provide for its citizens before it extends similar courtesies to others.

The Attorney General is no doubt referring to the social costs associated with migrants. He is implying that allowing an influx of Cubans will place a charge on public funds – that is, these persons may utilize Guyana's free health and education or that the State may be required to support them while in Guyana.

This is poppycock. The

Dem

boys seh...

I

s sheer 'confunction nonsense' tekkin place at de Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Like somebody in deh like music because dem playing lots of musical chairs.

Dem had a Minister of Foreign Affairs who used to be in charge of de Ministry.

She was de boss. Below she was a lady who was de Director General and den dem had a Permanent Secretary wah dem did bring from anoder Ministry.

Things was wukking nice.

Den de Director General went into politics and had to retire. Anoder Director General get appoint. And dem still had de Permanent Secretary.

Den de PPP/C lose

Cubans who come here are contributing to the economic development of the country and are no burden on the State.

It is estimated that in normal times, some 1,000 Cubans arrive each week in the country through the airports. If each one of these spends US$2,000 in the country, then it means that the country earns more than US$100M alone from the Cubans. This is four times what is earned from the exportation of sugar. This is not counting the Cuban's contributions to rents and to payments for medical services.

Many of the Cubans come here in order to process their permanent visa applications for the United States. They come to attend interviews at the US Embassy in Guyana.

It is cheaper for them to come here to source the consular service. They pay for their medicals thereby helping to support the medical system in Guyana.

The Mercy Hospital does good business because of the Cubans applying for their permanent immigrant status.

Cubans spend a lot of money on Regent Street. They can be seen shopping in droves. While in Guyana, they buy food, use the public transport system and rent apartments – more contributions to the local economy.

A number of Cubans are employed locally. Without the Cubans to provide translation, most of the commercial shops would not be able to cater for the Cubans who come here to shop. Cubans are also involved in the construction sector; they work cheaper and harder than most.

The Cubans are wellorganized and are making a positive contribution to the economy. They are not engaged in the provision of sex services. They are not known to be part of any trafficking ring. They are not a burden on anyone, the least of which are public funds.

So, why suddenly have the Cubans become unwelcome?

This change in government's attitude to the Cubans may be linked to the recent visit of a high-level delegation from Brazil. And it may also have something to do with the Haitians.

It is likely that the Brazilians would have raised the issue of illegal immigration from Guyana. It is known that thousands of Haitians enter Guyana but there is no record of most of them leaving. It is suspected that most of them make the overland journey and cross into Brazil. It is possible that Brazil may have weighed on Guyana the need to restrict this illegal movement.

Recently more than two

Musical Chairs at Takuba Lodge power in 2015 and de Minister was no longer a Minister. She went overseas.

Things did wukkin nice since dem had a new person as Minister. And dem had a new Director General.

But den Soulja Bai decide fuh shakeup de place like a hurricane. De Director General reassign and an Ambassador get promote to Permanent Secretary. De Minister resign because he was a dual citizen and he tun Foreign Secretary.

De PPP/C come in and dem decide fuh cause mo confusion. Dem tek an old Minister who bin seh he deh pon sabbatical and mek he into a Foreign Secretary. De Permanent Secretary get revert back to Ambassador

and de former Director General get appoint as Permanent Secretary.

Now mo confusion just happen. De Permanent Secretary switch with de old Director General who bin retire. De persons who bin get appoint as Permanent Secretary is now likely to become, once again, an Ambassador.

De former Minister under de PPP/C now tun Ambassador. She gat to report to somebody who she used to be de boss of.

De new motto of de Foreign Ministry is: “One day you up, next day you down.”

One day you is de boss, next day you are being bossed.

Talk half and wait fuh laugh at mo confusion.

dozen Haitians were detained in Guyana. It would raise issues of inconsistent treatment if the government were to be seen as facilitating Cubans while denying entry to Haitians.

Guyana had amended its laws to allow for Haitians to be granted free movement under the Caribbean Single Market and Economy. Haiti is a member of the Caribbean Community and the Community is operating under the legal opinion that Haitians are also entitled to an automatic six-month entry into a member state.

However, as was decided in the Shanique Myrie case, Member States are allowed to deny entry to undesirables – persons who have been involved in certain activities or who are suspected to be

involved in certain undesirable activities, including overstaying or unlawful acts. Member States are also allowed to deny entry if they are of the view that the person would constitute a charge on public funds, that is they would stay on as an illegal migrant and utilize the country's public services.

If the government suspects that any migrant involved in an act of human trafficking or any criminal act, such a person can be denied entry. Once such evidence is available on a basis of suspicious exists, then the State is within its right to deny entry.

No one can therefore come to Guyana and claim that they have an absolute right to six months stay by virtue of the free movement of persons

being citizens of a Caricom State.

But similarly, someone should not be denied entry simply because they are in-transit to another country. It would be a different situation, however, if this safe passage involves illegal actions, including illegally exiting the country or being part of a human trafficking ring.

The government has to treat each case on its merit. A blanket denial of entry is a violation of migrant rights. It is also counterproductive considering the economic benefits which migrants generate.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Thursday December 10, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Gary Best: The best or the worse is yet to come I

cannot comment on the acquittal of Gary Best because there is going to be a continuation of the trial in the Full Court so the matter is still sub judice. I can still express how I feel. I felt Best would have been convicted.

For those who are not familiar with how the judicial system works, you should be careful in how you interpret the verdict. When you have experience in court trials then you will see that the best is yet to come in Guyana, but we have to live with the worst.

A conviction depends on the performance of a prosecutor. In the lower court – magistrate level - the prosecution is always a police rank, and never beyond the rank of superintendent. If the defendant has a competent lawyer and the police prosecutor is poor, you will have a tragic, sad, malignant miscarriage of justice.

Three former officials in

the previous PPP government – Kwame McCoy, now a minister of government; Jason Abdulla, now board member of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority and Shawn Hinds (don't know what position he has secured in the current government) – were charged with assaulting me, no doubt because of my anti-government activism.

Abdulla gave a detailed confession on how he, McCoy and Hinds planned the attack from within the Office of the President.

The only reason I chose not to ask the magistrate to discontinue the trial was because of my obligation to the publisher of this newspaper, Mr. Glenn Lall.

He relentlessly pursued the issue after the new government came into being in 2015. I knew he worked tirelessly to seek justice for me. I had a moral obligation to respect his effort by giving testimony. After my first day

of testimony, I knew I was in a circus and did not want to continue.

The police prosecutor was a sergeant. Throughout the trial, he never made one objection. I remember saying to him when I was on the witness stand; “Aren't you going to object to that nonsense?” Each defendant has a different attorney and the sergeant was virtually intimidated by the three lawyers. This happens all the time in Guyana when there are high profile trials in the magistrate courts.

I stopped attending my case. I really could not have been bothered with the result. The DPP never sought to have a special prosecutor. I believe it may have been so because I had written critical things on her in my columns long before McCoy, Abdulla and Hinds were charged.

That court ordeal was a personal tragedy for me. Not in the sense that I was the victim, but in the sense of

what my country is. You had to be in that court room to see how a member of the media was viciously assaulted and the trial was a cowboy show.

The police prosecutor hardly spoke and never challenged any of the questions advanced by the three lawyers.

I didn't have any anger in me because I knew consciously in my soul that when I became a human rights activist more than 50 years ago, there would be consequences. The magistrate was Judy Latchman who was the focus of several trenchant critiques of mine for her performance on the bench.

In fact, because of those antecedents, I wrote her and the chancellor requesting that she recuse herself. This is Guyana so I think you know what the answer was.

In the Best trial, it was down to how prosecutor handled himself. This is by

no means an excuse for the points the magistrate may have missed that were in favour of the prosecutor. I have done columns that I cannot count on the quality

Frederick Kissoon o f t h emagistracy. As I write this commentary here, an elderly gentleman was shot multiple times and killed when bandits physically wrested his motorcycle from him.

Could there be any redeeming circumstances, if

those killers are caught and brought before a judge? Well this is Guyana, you never know. They could behave well while on remand and could express remorse.

Taking those two items into consideration, a guilty plea may bring “time served” meaning if they were on remand for three years; that is all they could serve.

Do you know the son of one of Guyana's most prominent politicians was sentenced to 45 consecutive years for inserting his finger in the vagina of his victim? I thought the crucial area was the lack of evidence of her being underage. I don't think she was. I asked Madan Kissoon to appeal as a favour. He can't. The judge is yet to write her judgement after six years.

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

Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Thursday December 10, 2020

Union demands arbitration for decade-old sacking of 57 Rusal workers T

he Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) yesterday called on Government to start arbitration with Russiancontrolled Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), consistent with the Labour Laws, Chap 98:01.

“This is long overdue.

This last stage for the establishment of the Arbitration Tribunal was reached before the country went to the General and Regional Elections in March 2020, and since the Donald Ramotar administration in March 2012.

The dispute has now s p a n n e d f o u r administrations,” the union said in a statement yesterday.

The union would be referring to the 2009 sacking of 57 workers after they participated in a strike for better working conditions.

The firings had angered Guyana but little actions were taken by consecutive governments to bring closure.

It was pointed out that successive governments have ignored the plight of the

bauxite workers.

“Whereas the administrations have been changed (three PPP/C and one Coalition), the Government of Guyana and laws remain constant and therefore accountable.

Government must settle this dispute now through arbitration.”

The union drew comparison to happenings in London, United Kingdom (UK) with Rusal.

“In the UK, Rusal and Oldendorff - the company responsible for the transshipment of bauxite from the Aroaima site to the deep-sea vessels- are at arbitration. The arbitration is about Rusal/BCGI violation of its contract with Oldendorff. Oldendorff is a German company.”

It was stressed that Rusal clearly cannot play the “shenanigans” in the UK but is clearly willing to disrespect Guyana's laws and its people under the watchful eyes of successive governments.

“This is a shame and indictment on Guyana but it will not be so on the GB&GWU which is prepared and willing to go

Rusal's union is demanding arbitration proceedings to bring end to the decade-long sacking of 57 workers in 2009

the distance for as long as it takes. The rights of the workers must be protected and Guyana's sovereignty must remain inviolable. It is not the law that is preventing settlement of this dispute; it is lack of will demonstrated by various political directorates.”

Rusal/BCGI has been battling workers, at times firing them wholesale, forcing ministers and labour officials to Region 10, where operations are ongoing in Kurbuka and Aroaima, in the Upper Berbice area.

Workers have in the past refused orders to leave

Rusal's houses in Aroaima.

They have blocked the Berbice River in protests also.

According to the union yesterday, many reasons have been posited why successive governments have not acted.

“For a fact, the union has

experienced difficulties with all administrations seemingly unwilling to relate to the union at all levels of leadership. Some posit that Guyanese politicians have a deal/in bed with Rusal management to obstruct an organised labour environment. Some suggest

other sinister political motives at work to prevent the application of justice for this particular group of workers. Whatever the deal, no Guyanese worker, under any circumstance, should be sacrificial lambs.”

Moreover, the union has (continued on page 15)

Man drowns trying to remove seine from boat propeller

A

72-year-old man on Tuesday reportedly drowned after he plunged overbroad to remove a seine from the propeller of the boat in which he was travelling in. The incident reportedly happened at Morawhanna, North West District. Dead is Daniel Enrique Medina, a Venezuelan national of Gumanaj, Venezuela.

According to a police report, the incident occurred at around 09:30 hrs.

Based on the information received, Medina and his 42-year-old son were travelling in a 22-feet metal boat and during the journey; the boat's propeller got entangled with a seine. Reports are that Medina plunged into the river to free the propeller – he reportedly went down but never resurfaced.

The matter was reported to the Morawhanna Police Station. The matter is being investigation.

Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

Govt. to ‘name and shame’ non-compliant security firms - Minister Hamilton

S

ecurity firms found noncompliant with Guyana's labour laws will be publicly shamed. This is according to Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton.

The Minister's warning was vocalized last week on Kaieteur Radio's 'Wake Up Guyana' programme, where he addressed concerns raised about compliance with Guyana's labour laws within the security industry.

He said that the “public shaming” will include publishing the names of the security firms, their principles, their directors and managers.

The Minister said that a forewarning was given to security companies last month, where he lamented on issues regarding equal pay, proper overtime salaries and adequate working conditions for their employees.

Further, he disclosed that he had engaged an umbrella organization for security firms, during which he spoke on these issues, in hopes of reaching the entire security industry. However, that organization, according to the Minister, only represented approximately three percent of security firms in the country. There

are currently over 200 security firms in Guyana.

The Minister also announced plans to have a conference in early January 2021 with all security service providers in hope of having more coverage.

Hamilton stressed that the Labour Ministry would have outlined what the Labour Act says about working conditions in several releases but companies are still not compliant, so maybe publicly shaming them will provide better results.

According to the Labour Minister too, he has received complaints about issues relating to late payment of workers, improper overtime salaries and inadequate working conditions in every region.

Concerns were also raised about payments to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) on behalf of workers, where, in some instances, employers were not paying their workers' NIS contributions on a monthly basis. He described this as them not only robbing their employees but also robbing the NIS. He said that the Labour Ministry cannot solve NIS problems since it does not have that mandate, but there

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton are laws to take persons to court who are NIS noncompliant. Since this is not being done, the Minister said that this means the NIS is not applying the law across the board and he is questioning how these persons are receiving NIS compliance.

Kaieteur News was informed that an individual's NIS contribution is 14 percent of their actual salary.

Of that 14 percent, a 5.6 percent deduction is taken from the employee's pay, and the other 8.4 percent is supposed to be paid by the employer on behalf of the employee.

For these issues to be solved, he said NIS needs to ensure that its officers do their work.

Lima Sands, Charity targeted for 600 house-lots

P

resident Irfaan Ali has announced that an additional 600 house-lots will be developed and distributed to residents in several Region Two communities.

The President made this disclosure yesterday as he met with hundreds of residents at the Regional Democratic Office in Anna Regina (PomeroonSupenaam), during a Presidential outreach.

This was detailed in a press statement issued by the Office of the President (OP).

According to the statement, the Head of State explained that plans for the development of the 600 house-lots will be completed within weeks, while the

infrastructural work will be initiated by mid-next year.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Sherwyn Greaves, further explained that the areas identified for the houselots are Charity and Lima Sands.

The addition of the house-lots will benefit hundreds of families living in the region.

President Ali, who had a successful outreach last month in Region Six, is currently addressing the concerns of the residents of Region Two. His goal is to reduce the bureaucratic hassle that many persons face.

So far, hundreds of residents were afforded the

chance to raise pressing issues; key among them were various challenges regarding housing and land titling.

Agencies represented at the Presidential Outreach included Government officials, representatives from the Office of the President, the Ministry of Housing and Water, the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Ministry of Health, the Guyana Police Force and Regional Officials among others.

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Thursday December 10, 2020

No EIA required for waste treatment plant at Friendship T

he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has disclosed via a public notice that no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required for the construction and operation of a waste treatment (Bioremediation) facility for mud sludge generated from activities in the oil and gas sector.

That proposed project is

expected to be constructed

by Environmental Waste Management Services Guyana Inc. at Lots 21 and 22 Block XXV111 Zone, Plantation Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

An EIA is usually conducted by the EPA to evaluate the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into

- EPA account inter-related socioeconomic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.

However, the EPA in its notice stated, “In accordance with Section 11(2) of the Environmental Protection Act, Cap 20:05, Laws of

Guyana, the application for the project listed above has been screened by the Agency to assess the potential environmental impacts, and it has been determined that the project will not significantly affect the environment nor human health, and is therefore exempted from the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).�

Be that as it may, it is still allowing the general public a 30-day period to lodge any objections or concerns about the project.

Appeals and objections can be submitted to the Environmental Assessment Board at the EPA's Sophia, Georgetown office.

According to the s u m m a r y, t h e p r o j e c t involves receiving and transporting solid, liquid,

and a combination thereof of drilling wastes to bioremediation treatment reservoirs at its proposed waste treatment facility.

Bioremediation is a treatment process that uses naturally occurring microorganisms (yeast, fungi, or bacteria) to break down, or degrade, hazardous substances into less toxic or non-toxic substances.

According to the document, the company is notified of wastes arriving at the generator's facility (Shore base) at least 24 hours in advance.

Waste received would include residues from cleaning of mud pits, shakers, and sand traps on the rig and transferring into liquid bulk tanks, tote tanks and cuttings boxes and transiting these to the shore base bioremediation waste

treatment facility.

Residues will include also but not limited to wash water, flush water, residues of Synthetic Oil-based Muds (SOBM), Water-based Muds (WBM), Base oil, Brine, Dry bulk (cement, barite, and silica gel).

Further, the operation will also involve the development of two treatment ponds lined with High Density Polyethylene Geomembrane liners and contained by 91.4cm berms.

In addition, four existing structures will be repaired and developed into administrative units, laboratories, storage areas and homes for caretakers.

A screen will be constructed to separate the office area from the treatment ponds.

Man who ran into path of minibus dies

T

he man, who a driver claimed ran into the path of his minibus, has succumbed to his injuries.

According to police, Maxwell Mona, 55, a labourer of Chester Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) died around 05:55hrs yesterday. Mona was struck down on Monday sometime around 18:20hrs along the

Chester Village Public Road.

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

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

He was reportedly picked up 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.

Kaieteur News had reached out to family members but they declined to speak with this media house.

Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Three arrested after gun, Sleepy Sanitary Pads congratulates ammo find in Berbice its fifth $100,000 Winner The seized items

Ms. Denise Gomes receiving her prize

S

P

olice in East Berbice have reported a major find as they continue their anti-crime operations in the Region.

According to information, a party of police ranks attached to the Springlands Police Station was acting on intelligence around 03:30 hrs. on Wednesday, when they raided a house situated at No 79 Village, Corentyne.

During the raid, the cops unearthed a 9mm semiautomatic pistol with one magazine and five live rounds, three camouflage shirts, two camouflage pants, one camouflage mask, one camouflage bag, two grey hoodies and five smartphones.

A 28-year-old, unemployed male who was in the house was arrested and taken into custody.

Two other unemployed males, ages 18 and 32 of Dukestown and Number 79 Village, Corentyne respectively, were arrested for questioning in connection with robbery under arms. They have also been taken into custody.

The items have been lodged as investigation continues.

Union demands...

From page 12 called on government to stop making the people of Guyana and bauxite workers sacrificial lambs at the behest or to the benefit of expatriate companies or their own seemingly “narrowminded political agenda”.

“GB&GWU reiterates the call for arbitration now. The Government of Guyana must uphold Guyana's laws and its industrial time-honoured principles. Society must join with the workers in holding the Government accountable to the discharge of its duty.”

The gun, ammo that were seized

leepy's AllNatural Sanitary Pads is excited to congratulate Denise Gomes o f Ti m e h r i , t h e f i f t h $100,000 winner, in its sixmonth, “Sleepy Monthly Special Promotion.”

The fifth drawing was done live on November28th, 2020 at 13:00 hours, via the Sleepy South America Facebook Page. Ms. Gomes won with a total of 100,000 shares on Facebook.

She was very excited for her prize money which she will put towards her savings.

The other four top contestants did not leave empty handed. They were each given hampers consisting of various Sleepy

products.

With December being the final month of this special promotion, we urge all women to participate for their chance to win!

Made from super absorbent materials that lock in fluids and keep you dry, Sleepy Sanitary Pads feminine care products are unique and comfortable.

They are made from materials such as cotton and bamboo fibers, free from dye and lotion, thus ensuring no rashes or irritations.

Sleepy Sanitary Pads are available in normal (regular), long and overnight for your unique body type.

They are also available in thick and ultra-thin and

various pack sizes.

Here's how to enter for your chance to win: 1. Take a creative photo of yourself with your favourite Sleepy Sanitary Pads pack.

2. Submit that Photo to our Sleepy South America Facebook Page via Inbox, along with Your Name and Contact Number.

3. Your photo will then be uploaded to our Facebook page, where you and your friends can share.

4. A Winner will be selected from the Top Five (5) Photos with the most Shares via a Live Drawing.

5. Promotion runs from 15th July, 2020 – 31st December, 2020.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 10, 2020

Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

Caribbean Cinemas, MovieTowne irked

by Govt.'s refusal to reopen cinemas C

a r i b b e a n Cinemas and M o v i e To w n e recently joined forces to express their disappointment in Government's decision to keep indoor cinemas closed throughout this month.

In a joint statement, they said that Government's extension of the closure is creating “unprecedented economic hardship” for them and their employees as the cinemas would have been closed since March due to the novel coronavirus. The cinemas also said that other countries in the West Indies and the Caribbean would have authorized the reopening of cinemas but Guyana has not.

In the Gazetted COVID19 measures for the month of December, the government said that movie theatres are to remain closed. However, special provisions were made to allow outdoor drivein cinemas. But according to the disgruntled entities, international studies show that cinemas are low-risk areas for transmission.

“Movie theatres are an indoor business where consumers engage in a sedentary and quiet activity.

Specifically, guests sit in a theatre, all facing the same

direction, wearing face masks, and discouraged from speaking,” they said in their statement. The cinemas referenced Jade Flinn, a faculty member at Johns Hopkins Medicine, who has deemed movie theatres safer than bar environments.

Flinn, who also trains nurses at the organization's Biocontainment Unit, said, “In a setting where we're not talking, we're just passively breathing and wearing masks, it might be a safer bet than a noisy, crowded bar. At movie theatres, if you're not eating popcorn, you're just sitting there with your mask on.”

They further outlined that both cinemas have implemented protocols that fall under 'CinemaSafe,' which is a programme launched by the National Association of Theatre Owners. These protocols, they said, are in line with health and safety protocols from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization.

It was also stated that the protocols were developed over several months by a team of industry experts, and consultations with leading epidemiologists were made to support a safe return to

movie theatres.

Among the safety protocols listed by the cinemas are: requirements for face masks from every employee and patron except when eating; appropriate physical distancing being maintained between patrons, except members of the same household or those who attend together, and a reduced auditorium capacity of 50 percent, leaving seats and empty rows between parties.

N o t a b l y, C a r i b b e a n Cinemas had attempted to reopen their cinemas on August 14 last, but could not due to strict objection by the authorities.

Movietowne

Caribbean Cinemas at the Giftland Mall

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Thursday December 10, 2020

Three E'bo Coast residents receive titles after waiting for years Ms. Pratima Devi Sookdeo accepts her land title from the Head of State

R

esidents heaped praises on His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali, yesterday after his swift intervention which resulted in the issuance of Certificates of Title to three Region Two land owners.

The President made the presentation to the trio during his Presidential Outreach to residents of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

All persons who received their ownership documents had been waiting for a lengthy period of time, according to a statement issued by the Office of the

President Ali presents Mr. Esaan Garraway with his land title President (OP).

Esaan Garraway said that he was given the royal runaround and was unsure

when he would have gotten his title.

“I checked the office steady and they kept saying

that the title had to come from Town.

I feel good today, thanks to the Government,” he said.

Mark Thomas, who has been waiting for four plus years, called the moment “a great sigh of relief.”

He said that he was elated to have received the title from the Head of State and is now focused on building his home.

Pratima Devi Sookdeo was also waiting for some time for her document.

She came with the hope of receiving some assistance from the Head of State after her house was razed by fire.

The President empathized with the Region Two resident and offered his

assistance.

The Head of State met with hundreds of residents yesterday at the office of the Regional Democratic Council in Anna Regina in Region Two. His aim was to reduce the bureaucratic hassle that Guyanese, especially those from outside of the city, face regularly.

The President travelled to the region with representatives from a number of crucial government entities to assist in addressing the concerns of the residents.

Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

Canadian High Commission marks end to 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

T

oday marks the end of the global campaign on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The conclusion also coincides with the UN International Human Rights Day. According to a release issued by the Canadian High Commission yesterday, the past 16 days was spent raising awareness about violence against women.

The release noted too that the rights of women and girls and gender equality are key areas of focus for the Government of Canada, “both at home and around the world.”

At least 17 women have been killed this year by a partner and countless others have suffered domestic and sexual violence at the hands of their partners. The NGOs supporting victims of violence, like Help and Shelter Guyana, has reported a 300 percent increase in calls to the institution.

Yet, there are still many other cases of gender based violence that go unreported.

The situation around the world has worsened as more women are now increasingly exposed to their abusive partners due to lockdowns and quarantine measures enacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,

exacerbated by the inability of social services to fully function.

As such, this year for the 16 Days Campaign, the High Commis s i o n p a r t n e r e d locally with several individuals and entities, including First Lady, Arya Ali; Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud; the United Nations Coordinator; the European Union; the Mexican Embassy; Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry; the National Library and Help and Shelter to 'Orange Georgetown' and raise awareness about gender based violence.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e statement noted that the High Commission of Canada is working with several organizations aiming to support victims of violence, and reduce gender inequality and breakdown gender stereotypes that feed violence against women.

For example, Canada is funding women's rights groups through the Women's Vo i c e a n d L e a d e r s h i p project, throughout Guyana and the Caribbean as a means to support gender equality.

However, the High Commission recognizes that the fight against g e n d e r- b a s e d v i o l e n c e requires community

support.

As such, Janine Cocker, Head of Development Cooperation at the High Commission, said at a recent anti-violence event, “while we have made great strides in the advancement of rights for women and girls, there is still more work to be done.”

She added, “In achieving this goal [ending gender-based violence] we need to build strong partnerships. We believe that through the collective efforts of government, civil society, the international community and the private sector working together, we can broaden the impact of the campaign [to end genderbased violence].”

Meanwhile, during this year's observance, the High Commission participated in the orange tree-wrapping ceremony with State House and other Government buildings being lit in orange, and 16 days of online social media activism through art and cinema.

Further, the statement noted that the High Commission is open to partnerships which help to drive the efforts to end gender based violence and support the rights of women and girls in Guyana and around the world.

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday December 10, 2020

The right to truth is central to a healthy democracy - GHRA

I

nternational Human Rights Day 2020 observed globally today, provides an opportune moment to reflect on the relationship between truth, justice and democracy. This was emphasized by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) in a release it issued yesterday.

According to the GHRA,

in Guyana the relationship to truth-telling has always been ambivalent.

The human rights body noted that “Guyanese prefer to fret privately rather than confront everyday public wrong-doing: paying bribes, putting-up with noise nuisance, loud music, and challenging public sector inefficiency...”

“We tell to politicians and our bosses, opinions we think they want to hear, rather than what we believe, reserving that version of the truth for friends and family.”

However, the body noted that while “we clamour for freedom of expression in general, we choose to a large extent not to abide by this principle in our own daily

lives by failing to speak freely ourselves.”

“Human rights,” the GHRA stressed, “are best protected when practiced close to home in our individual lives.”

“The ambivalent attitude to truth-telling at the personal level,” the body said, “has more profound and serious effects when it comes to dealing with the periods of intense communal violence Guyana has experienced since the early 1960s.”

“The rigour by which State's obligation to protect them is in part a reflection of how undemanding individual citizens are,” the statement added.

In this regard, the GHRA pointed to the intensity of political confrontations taking place this year, which created the phenomenon of 'fake news' and deliberate intent to mislead both by politicians and sections of the media.

According to the body, the occurrence took its toll on public confidence.

“The upheavals associated with the recent national elections, while much less tumultuous [than other time], were reminders of how little systematic effort has been made to recognize the need for historical clarification, individual and societal healing and the prevention of

such future violations. If the absence of communal truthtelling strategies in Guyana is, in fact, a reflection of the widespread individual tendency to avoid truthtelling, the starting point for systematically reviewing our past is to improve our own personal commitment in this regard in our everyday lives. To speak freely, as if we believed in freedom of expression, to act as if we believed in what is guaranteed in our Constitution,” the body added.

Human Rights Day commemorates the day the General Assembly of the UN adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is one of the UN's major achievements as well as the first enunciation of human rights across the world.

This undeniable right achieves several goals (continued on page 22)

'Close friend' of Marcus Bisram re-arrested

T

he ex-policeman, who is said to be a 'close friend' of Marcus Bisram, was yesterday re-arrested in connection with the robbery committed on Bisram at No. 7 0 Vi l l a g e , U p p e r Corentyne, Berbice.

Kaieteur News was informed by a police source that the ex-policeman, Bharrat Shattarpaul, was arrested again after new information was filtered to investigators about the robbery that took place about a week ago at Bisram's residence.

It is understood that the Major Crimes Unit is now assisting investigators with the investigation.

Four masked men, armed with guns and a cutlass entered the premises of Bisram while he was sitting with relatives and demanded cash and jewellery.

Surveillance footage seen by this publication showed the minute the men entered the yard. In the footage, Bisram was focused on his cellphone while sitting with two female relatives.

There were several other persons seated at separate tables in the yard. The four men rushed in and one grabbed the phone out of Bisram's hand while another seemed to have a confrontation with a male

Marcus Bisram (right) with his 'close friend', Bharrat Shattarpaul, who has been re-arrested relative of Bisram. Shortly after, the perpetrators guided everyone into the house and spent at least three minutes before exiting and making good their escape.

Kaieteur News understands that the men arrived on motorcycles and parked it a few houses away from Bisram's house. They escaped on the said motorcycles, presumably headed to Georgetown.

Eight cellular phones, including Bisram's iPhone Pro Max, his two gold

bangles (100 pennyweights each), a 100 pennyweight gold chain, a diamond ring worth US$12,000, and G$5M in cash and his wallet which contained seven credit cards and US$2000, were reportedly taken. According to Bisram, the G$5M was withdrawn some six days ago to pay his attorneys.

When questioned about security, Bisram stated that at the time of the robbery, he had no security and hadn't any security for the past three months.

Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

One critical in West Coast smash-up

Scenes from the accident.

A smash-up involving four vehicles last night, along the Ruimzeight Gardens public road on the West Coast of Demerara, has left one person critical.

The accident reportedly occurred sometime after 20:00 hrs.

It is alleged that a drunk driver lost control of his car and hit a Toyota Tacoma before

slamming head-on into two other cars.

Eyewitnesses described the accident scene as horrific.

Public spirited citizens, this publication was informed, rendered assistance to the injured. One man believed to be a driver of one of the cars was seen lying at the side of the thoroughfare.

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

President urges Region 2 businesses to follow COVID-19 protocols

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President Irfaan Ali has urged businesses on the Essequibo Coast to follow protocols to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

President Irfaan Ali yesterday urged Region Two businesses to “self-police” to ensure COVID-19 protocols are followed by their staff and customers to help reduce the spread of the deadly disease.

The Head-of-State gave this directive while meeting with representatives and owners of several businesses in the region, a statement from the Office of the President said.

“You need to do self-policing...so that you will follow the COVID-19 protocols.”

President Ali also reminded the business owners that all staff must wear masks, that there must be proper hand-washing

Three years jail for Chesney man whorobbed, raped market vendor

The suspect, who was arrested in connection with the robbery/rape committed on a female market vendor from the Corentyne area, was yesterday sentenced to 36 months imprisonment for the offence of robbery under arms.

Dhaneshwar Balgobin, called “Blacko-Boy,” 27, of Chesney Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice was arrested on December 5, 2020 and charged yesterday with robbery under arms committed on the vendor.

The charge was laid under Section 222 (c) of the criminal law (offences) Act Chapter 8:01.

He appeared at the Reliance Magistrates Court yesterday before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh and was not required to plead.

The Administration of Justice Act was applied and he found guilty and sentenced to 36 months in prison.

Meanwhile, police sources disclosed that a file will be prepared to be sent for advice in relation to the rape accusation.

Jailed: Dhaneshwar Balgobin

Fighting corruption...

Irfaan Ali has thrown ...

The right to truth is central to a healthy democracy ...

From page 20 including: facilitating the reconciliation process; contributing to the fight against impunity; and strengthens democracy and the rule of law.

In promoting the right to truth, States should guarantee broad legal standing in the judicial process to any wronged party and to any person or NGOs having a legitimate interest therein.

Adopted on December 10,

facilities available for customers and that workers must constantly sanitise surfaces.

He also directed the National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia, to immediately host a briefing with the business owners on the existing COVID-19 protocols and guidelines.

While meeting with the residents throughout the day, President Ali frequently reminded persons in attendance of the need for social distancing, wearing masks and sanitising.

Additionally, residents were invited to meet with the Headof-State and his team at intervals so as to avoid overcrowding the meeting room.

1948, the Declaration stipulates universal values and a shared standard of achievement for everyone in every country.

While the Declaration is not a binding document, it inspired over 60 human rights instruments that today make a common standard of human rights. It is the most translated document around the globe available in over 500 languages.

From page 6 infection that occurs in a hospital or other health care facility. Transmission usually occurs via healthcare workers, patients, hospital equipment, or interventional procedures.”

By the administration’s consistent and persistent flouting of COVID regulations, it should be instead championing by example, we are reminded that we are in this crisis by ourselves. We are reminded daily, as well, by these events unfolding locally of the American Chief Justice John Roberts on the

Affordable Care Act (Obamacare): “Members of this Court are vested with the authority to interpret the law; we possess neither the expertise nor the prerogative to make policy judgments.

Those decisions are entrusted to our Nation’s elected leaders, who can be thrown out of office if the people disagree with them. It is not our job to protect the people from the consequences of their political choices.”

Yours truly, Sherod Avery Duncan

From page 6 2009, funded and overseen by USAID and the Inter-American Development Bank, both local and foreign micro, small, medium and large companies made special mention of Janet’s and Uchenna’s professionalism and their willingness to go way beyond what was expected. Without a doubt, investment and export promotion agencies in the Caribbean and North America would want them to be part of their teams.

The next letter will explore the critical role that religions will have to play in hunting and resisting corruption.

Yours truly, Geoffrey Da Silva

Thursday December 10, 2020

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Ally and Director of the GCAA, Egbert Field.

(Photo Credit: Air Services Limited)

Azam Ally and his plaque from the Ministry of Public Works (Photo Credit: Air Services Limited)

Ally and the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill (Photo Credit: Air Services Limited)

19-year-old is first locally trained and certified helicopter pilot Captain Azam Ally, a 19-year-old who hails from the Essequibo Coast, has made history for being Guyana’s first locally trained and certified helicopter pilot.

He was honoured by the Ministry of Public Works yesterday during a ceremony, which saw the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill; the Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert Field, and other senior officials in attendance.

During the ceremony, Edhgill

stated that his accomplishment is an inspiration to all young professionals as he presented the young man with a plaque. Captain Ally who is employed with a local air service provider, Air Services Limited, was born on May 12, 2001 at the Suddie Hospital on the Essequibo Coast.

He first attended the Good Hope Nursery School, then the Aurora Primary School where he graduated as the school’s Valedictorian in 2013.

He secured a place at President’s College when he wrote the National

Grade Six Assessment but decided that he would attend the Abram Zuil Secondary School. After he wrote his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination in 2018, he obtained five grade ones, two grade twos and one grade three.

He subsequently relocated to Georgetown to live with his grandfather after sitting his CSEC examination and spent three months working as an office clerk. in 2019, he got the opportunity to gain experience in the mainte-

nance department of Air Services Limited and spent one year there.

He first started as a trainee air mechanic in the Aircraft Maintenance Department but was later assigned to the Rotorcraft Maintenance Programme where he gained the foundational expertise in rotorcraft maintenance.

He completed that one-year training earlier this year and in August, he was given the opportunity to begin training as a Helicopter Pilot. He started his training on Au-

gust 3, under veteran helicopter pilot, Captain Buddy Chance.

The teen did his first solo flight on September 3, then a private pilot check ride on December 8 with Captain Chris Kirkcaldy of the GCAA and that too was successful.

Ally has been licensed as a private helicopter pilot in Guyana at only 19 years of age.

The young man’s family, as well as the management of Air Services, are said to be extremely proud of his accomplishment.

Barge slams into Demerara Harbour Bridge A barge yesterday afternoon slammed into the Demerara Harbour Bridge causing it to shift out of alignment. As a result of the hit, only small vehicles and mini-buses are allowed to cross the bridge until the repairs to the bridge are completed.

Around 17:30 hrs. the barge crashed into the high span of the bridge and consequently disrupted the smooth flow of vehicular traffic for persons seeking to cross the bridge, and those travelling along the East and West Banks of Demerara. The bridge is the main link between the east and west banks of Demerara.

In a brief statement, the management of the Bridge noted that, “The DHBC assures you that our team is working assiduously to rectify this issue to restore the smooth flow of traffic. Management again apologizes for any inconvenience this may be causing you at this time.”

However, moments after the first statement was issued, the management of the Bridge released another statement in which it was noted that the bridge was reopened to vehicu-

lar traffic.

Additionally, the Maritime Department yesterday afternoon issued instructions for water taxis from Georgetown to Vreed-enHoop to continue to operate until the bridge repairs are completed.

When Kaieteur News visited the stelling at Stabroek, shortly after the incident, persons had already started to gather in their numbers in order to utilize the boat service to cross the river.

Just last year, a tug and barge had slammed into the bridge and the owner was ordered to pay $100M to the Government to repair the damaged structure. That incident happened on September 2, 2019. On that occasion a tug, Marina Oceanic, and a barge, manned by Cubans and registered in Panama, crashed into the Demerara Harbour Bridge, badly damaging the 40-year-old structure and leaving hundreds of commuters stranded for several hours.

That resulted in the bridge remaining inoperable for almost 36 hours.

Kaieteur News had reported that under the laws, the cost for fixing such damage to the bridge must be covered by the offending parties.

- Only small vehicles, minibuses allowed to cross The barge that hit the bridge.

The Stabroek Stelling yesterday afternoon moments after the barge hit the bridge.

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Thursday December 10, 2020

Thursday December 10, 2020

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PAGE 25

Poor Law Commission established to review list of 12,000 on public assistance T

he Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has installed a Poor Law Commission as part of the Ministry's efforts to review the list of persons who depend on public assistance.

The new Chair of the Commission is Amanda Richards; Deputy Chair is Keeran Persaud; the other members are: Janet Ann Geer, Raymon Cummings, Alison Barkie, Gomatie Narine, Dr. Josh Kanhai, Peter Persaud, Diana Kaulessar O'Brien and Beverly Clenkian.

Board members for the Poor Law Commission, which oversees public assistance for the vulnerable, will be reviewing the existing list to ensure the “most in need” individuals benefit from the relief programme.

This was one of the commitments made by the newly installed board when they met virtually with Minister of Human Services

made to the Ministry's Garment and Accessories Cottage Initiative that has so

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

Amanda Richards will chair the Poor Law Commission

and Social Security, Dr. Vi n d h y a P e r s a u d , o n Tuesday (December 8, 2020).

There are currently 12,000 persons on the public assistance list. The list will be reviewed to ensure the process is not exploited and the “most vulnerable” are given the assistance “they so badly need.”

Backlogged cases will also be addressed.

In addition, the Board will refer beneficiaries to the Ministry's skills training programmes to help them to become financially independent, and benefit from employment opportunities.

According to Ms. Richards, referrals will be

Boy, 8, electrocuted with drill

F

ound lying motionless in his yard with an electric drill in his right hand, an eight-year-boy is believed to have been electrocuted yesterday at his home.

The boy, said to be a student of the Clonbrook Primary School, resided at Company Dam, Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

According to police, the tragic incident took place around 11:00 hrs.

Investigating ranks were told that the lad was home alone with his 21-year-old sister.

A r o u n d 11 : 0 0 h r s .

however, he reportedly stepped out of their living quarters and ventured downstairs.

Some 15 minutes later, his sister called out for him but got no response.

She was then informed by one of her cousins that the boy was lying down in the yard.

The sister went out to investigate and found him motionless and frothing at the mouth with the drill in his right hand. The drill was reportedly connected to a yellow drop cord that was plugged into an electrical point in the house.

Assisted by her aunt, the sister picked him up and rushed him to the Dr. C. C. Nicholson Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Doctors who examined the corpse noted that there was a burnt mark on his right foot.

Investigators also noted that the area where he was found lying had moist mud.

The boy's family told police that the drill would normally be stored in a small room in the yard, while the drop cord is used t o o p e r ate a w as h in g machine.

far gainfully employed over 100 individuals. The members of the Commission

will serve for a period of three years with effect from November 30, 2020.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday December 10, 2020

Thursday December 10, 2020

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Kaieteur News

South Africa confirm first tour of Pakistan in 14 years ESPNcricinfo - South Africa have confirmed their first tour to Pakistan since 2007 they will play two Tests and three T20Is between January 26 and February 14 next year.

South Africa will travel to Pakistan on January 16 and go into quarantine before the Tests are played in Karachi and Rawalpindi, before they shift to Lahore for the T20Is. South Africa will be the third World Test Championship team to travel to Pakistan after the resumption of toplevel cricket in the country following a long hiatus, after Sri Lanka’s visit in 2019 and Bangladesh’s earlier this year.

“South Africa confirming a tour to Pakistan and playing matches at the three major centres is a fabulous news for Pakistan cricket and its fans,” PCB director Zakir Khan said in a statement.

“South Africa is one of the

most popular sides in Pakistan even though they last played here in 2007, but the fans have been following their performances closely and now look forward to welcoming them.”

South Africa will arrive in Pakistan fresh off the cancellation of the ODI home series against England after a breach in the bio-secure facilities at Newlands led to positive cases emerging in both the South Africa and England camps (though the England tests later returned negative). That threw the South African home series against Sri Lanka and Australia next year in jeopardy, with the possibility South Africa would be compelled to play out those matches away from home. Combined with the Pakistan tour, that would mean South Africa could spend large amounts of time next year away from home.

Cricket South Africa director - and the captain of the South African side when they last toured Pakistan - Graeme Smith, said: “As someone who has toured the country on more than one occasion back in my playing days, I know how much passion the people of Pakistan have for the game as well as the love and support that the Proteas enjoy there as a team.

“I would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the hospitality and transparency they showed our security contingent when they travelled over there a few weeks ago. The report on their findings and recommendations gives us confidence as an organization that all of our team’s security, playing and accommodation needs will be met and that the wellbeing of the team will be the top priority. We look forward to em-

Thursday December 10, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Plans for a trip could go awry today because of circumstances beyond your control.

A postponement might be necessary. This might prove very frustrating for you because you've been anxious to get going.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) An unexpected, upsetting letter or phone call might come today. This isn't major bad news, Libra. It's more likely to be the irritating little setbacks that force you to go more out of your way than you'd expected.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) An upsetting dream may disturb your sleep tonight, Taurus. Some disturbing information about finances could prove upsetting today.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) It could be hard to complete tasks today. A disagreement with other household members might give you the idea that everyone is against you. This isn't so, Gemini.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today you might need to run a lot of errands, Cancer.

This could prove frustrating.

Traffic could be bad, you might not find what you need, and it may be difficult to reach those you need to consult.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your practicality and good sense prove invaluable today, Leo. Those close to you might be restless and upset, and you might have to steer them in the right direction.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22) A problem with your house plumbing, electricity, phones - might necessitate calling in professionals, Virgo. This might prove mildly irritating.

A sudden, irritating interruption in your routine could come your way today, Scorpio. A friend may need some advice, and you could feel obliged to give it,

which would put your own projects on hold for a while.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today your progress might slow a bit. Problems with computers, telephones, cell phones, or other forms of technology might interrupt your day, Sagittarius.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Unforeseen problems with travel plans could come up today, Capricorn. There could be changes or delays in airline schedules, car breakdowns, or bad traffic.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Arguments over money might come up, Aquarius.

This might not involve your own funds but money belonging to a group with which you're involved.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A disagreement with a business or romantic partner could turn into an argument today.

This won't do anything to increase the effectiveness of your relationship, Pisces.

South Africa will be the third World Test Championship team to travel to Pakistan.

(Gallo Images/Getty Images) barking on this historical tour.”

While South Africa haven’t played a series in Pakistan for 12 years, there has been significant South African involvement in cricket in Pakistan over the past three years. In the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and World XI, five of the visiting squad were South African, including former South Afri-

can skipper Hashim Amla, and the current captain Faf du Plessis.

Du Plessis has spoken frequently about the extent to which Pakistan go to ensure the safety of visiting teams, saying before that tour the arrangements made the players feel “like movie stars”. Last month, he visited Pakistan as part of the foreign contingent of the Peshawar Zalmi side in

the PSL. “I was only there for a short time. Flew in, spent three days in the hotel room, played one T20 and flew back so I didn’t do much sightseeing in Pakistan,” he had said. “But, from a security point of view, they pull out all the stops. From shutting down every single road, to armoured vehicles, bulletproof buses, the army on the streets, snipers on the roof, helicopters in the air. I think it’s only a matter of time before teams are traveling there.”

The Pakistan team, meanwhile, only just emerged from nearly three weeks in quarantine in New Zealand where the entire travelling party tested negative before departing to New Zealand, only to return several positive cases immediately upon arrival in the country.

It was compounded by the New Zealand director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield criticising the squad for several breaching of New Zealand’s Covid-19 protocols on the first day, with Wasim Khan telling the players that any further breaches would result in the side being sent back home.

Pakistan are also scheduled to host New Zealand, England and West Indies next year.

England confirm...

From page 29 living in bubbles for long periods of time and their mental health and well-being is the absolute priority for us. If we consistently say that’s the most important thing for us, when we’re tested we can’t move away from that.”

Sri Lanka are due to arrive in South Africa next week, ahead of the Boxing Day Test at Centurion. With the tour due to finish in Johannesburg on January 7, only a week before the first Test against England, officials at SLC are understood to be concerned about the implications if a Covid outbreak does impact on the England visit, which is vital to the board’s finances.

However, an ECB spokesman told ESPNcricinfo that there had been no consideration given to an extended quarantine period between the two tours.

The series will be the first international cricket staged in Sri Lanka since West Indies toured in March 2020.

Bangladesh had been due to travel for a three-Test series, but the tour was repeatedly postponed.

England in Sri Lanka, fixtures: 1st Test: January 14-18 2nd Test: January 22-26 Both matches behind closed doors in Galle

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 10, 2020

Australia’s tour of South Africa may move to Perth amid Covid-19 fallout ESPNcricinfo - Australia’s scheduled Test series in South Africa next year may move to Perth, with early discussions between the two boards already taking place in the wake of the cancellation of the remainder of England’s current tour due to issues around Covid-19.

According to the schedule for the World Test Championship, Tim Paine’s Test side are meant to be facing South Africa in three Tests in South Africa between February 14 and March 13, a key assignment leading up to the tournament final in England in mid-2021, but the problems unveiled by England’s visit have made the trip increasingly problematic.

The fate of Australia’s visit is one part of what is becoming a complex challenge for Cricket South Africa with uncertainty now also hanging over Sri Lanka’s visit later this month for two Tests.

While neutral venues such as the UAE have been used in recent times, ESPNcricinfo understands there have been talks between CSA and Cricket Australia

around playing the series in Australia, given that conditions in the two countries are famously similar in terms of pace and bounce in particular.

Equally, Perth’s western time zone makes it quite amenable to South Africa’s given their separation only by the Indian Ocean - a day/night Test at the WACA Ground, for instance, would be likely to start play between 8am and 9am in South Africa.

The tour would need to take place on the basis that the broadcast rights and consequent revenue would go to CSA and its partners, meaning it would be broadcast in Australia by Fox Cricket. is under massive pressure to maintain some semblance of its summer schedule and thus hang onto the broadcast rights fees that keep the game afloat.

Cricket Australia pulled together a detailed biosecurity plan for Perth and Western Australia earlier this year when it had planned to host a portion of the international season in the west, before the blueprint was ended

by WA’s hard border. The situation has eased in recent weeks as WA’s premier Mark McGowan has opened the state’s borders to the rest of the nation, with BBL matches set down for Perth Stadium next month.

Unless the series is moved, Perth will spend a season without international cricket for the first time since the 1970s, after the postponement of the scheduled Test against Afghanistan.

“We’ve been a little bit bemused and disappointed how we haven’t been scheduled for one of the prime series in the cricket calendar,” the WACA chief executive Christina Matthews said in May when the original summer schedule was announced.

“The government invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to make Perth Stadium cricket friendly from the start, so all the facilities for cricket were built into that, and at the time Cricket Australia gave a guarantee to the government that they would absolutely be utilising that stadium to its fullest.

Holyfield rematch could be next for Tyson after Jones fight generates $80m

“Also, we have over 10,000 members, who year after year invest in cricket.

Rusted on fans are here, the crowds are better, the facilities are better, the corporate hospitality has more flexibility and more potential. So to us, it doesn’t quite pass the pub test.”

The new multipurpose stadium will likely be commandeered by the AFL’s demands

by the time the South Africa tour is due to take place, but the WACA Ground will remain in prime position to host Test matches if required.

South Africa boast an enviable record on tours to Australia, having won series down under in 2008-09, 201213 and 2016-17, with the same case working the other way during Australian wins in South Africa in 1997, 2002,

2006, 2009 and 2014.

Though South Africa were victorious over the Australians in the acrimonious “Sandpapergate” series in 2018, the touring team made a peaceful return for a brief white-ball visit earlier this year in their final overseas assignment before the onset of Covid-19.

Cricket South Africa has been contacted for comment.

David Warner ruled out of first Test against India, Joe Burns plays day-night warm-up ESPNcricinfo - David Warner has been formally ruled out of contention for the Adelaide est due to his groin strain, further narrowing Australia’s selection options for the series opener against India next week, while the struggling Joe Burns has been given another chance to find form in the day-night warm-up match at the SCG. With a heavy cloud over Will Pucovski due to a concussion scare in the closing overs of the Drummoyne Oval tour game on Tuesday, and Burns’ continuing run of low scores, the coach Justin Langer and selectors Trevor Hohns and George Bailey may be tempted to add the likes of Usman Khawaja or even Shaun Marsh to the squad for Adelaide although by yesterday evening no reinforcements had yet been added.

Burns will join Marcus Harris, who appears likely to be added to the Test squad, at the top of the order against the Indians on Friday with attack set to include Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.

Cameron Green, who scored an impressive century in the first warm-up match at Drummoyne Oval, will again line up for Australia A in what will be his first pink-ball match.

Pucovski was ruled out

of the game yesterday after the blow to the helmet late on the final day against the Indians. He has not yet been ruled out of the first Test and will remain in Sydney for the next few days to be monitored by Cricket Australia medical staff.

Sean Abbott and Mitchell Swepson, both part of the enlarged Test squad, will play at the SCG before linking up with the rest of the Test squad who flew to Adelaide on Wednesday.

The side will be captained

by Alex Carey.

Ben McDermott, the Tasmania batsman, has been added to the Australia A squad meaning he will miss the start of the BBL with Hobart Hurricanes.

“Joe Burns, Cameron Green, Sean Abbott and Mitchell Swepson will derive great benefit from playing high quality against the pink ball in the final tour match,” nationa selector Trevor Hohns said. “All have enjoyed an excellent preparation for the Vodafone Test series and the NSP believes a final hit-out against India’s bowlers under lights will round it out nicely.”

Despite doing all he could to return to fitness in time, Warner and team medical staff concluded that he would not be fully capable of running between the wickets or fielding with his usual verve - two key elements of his high tempo Test match

game.

“I feel I have made great progress in a short amount of time and it’s best for me to stay here in Sydney to continue working on getting back to full fitness,” Warner said.

“The injury feels a lot better, but I need to be able to satisfy in my own mind and to my team-mates that it is 100 per cent ready for Test match conditions.

“That includes running between the wickets and being agile in the field. Right now I feel I am short of being able to play at peak fitness and another 10 days will make a difference.”

Langer said he was extremely confident Warner would be ready in time for the second Test at the MCG on Boxing Day. “If there is one guy you know will go well above and beyond that’s Dave,” Langer said. “He has done an incredible job to get to where he is today and we hope to have a fully fit David Warner at his absolute best in Melbourne.”

Australia A squad Sean Abbott, Joe Burns, Alex Carey (capt), Harry Conway, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Moises Henriques, Nic Maddinson, Ben McDermott, Mark Steketee, Will Sutherland, Mitchell Swepson.

Mike Tyson (left) could be set for a rematch with Evander Holyfield (right). (Al Bello/Getty Images) Guardian sport - Mike Tyson could be set for a rematch with Evander Holyfield after the 54-year-old former heavyweight champion’s contest with the 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr generated $80m.

According to the fight’s distributer, Triller, more than 1.6m pay-per-view purchases were made for the Tyson-Jones fight, making it one of the biggest PPV events of all time. Tyson is reported to have earned $10m and Jones $3m for last month’s bout, which ended in a draw.

The financial success of the fight caught the attention of Holyfield, who has fought Tyson twice. Their first meeting, in 1996, ended in victory for Holyfield.

When the pair met a year later Tyson was disqualified after biting his opponent’s ear.

“We’ve definitely had conversations, and it looks like it’s gonna happen,” Holyfield told TMZ last weekend. “I’m a very confident person, so I think it’s gonna happen. Let’s do it, baby. Simple as that, let’s do it.”

The prospect of two men in late middle age fighting is unedifying for many boxing fans – Holyfield is 58 – but aging fighters have shown more willingness in recent years for pay-per-view events that can earn them millions.

On Sunday, Floyd Mayweather, who is 43, announced he will fight YouTube star Logan Paul in an exhibition in February. Mayweather is thought to have earned more than $100m for his pay-per-view fight against UFC star Conor McGregor in 2017.

David Warner is helped off the field. (Getty Images)

Thursday December 10, 2020

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

England confirm dates for rescheduled Sri Lanka Test tour ESPNcricinfo - England’s cricketers will play two Tests behind closed doors in Galle in January, following a period of quarantine in Hambantota, after the schedule for their rearranged tour of Sri Lanka was confirmed by the ECB yesterday.

The tour, which is England’s penultimate series in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship, had to be postponed in March following the escalation of the Covid-19 outbreak, which caused the abandonment of that original tour midway through England’s warm-up game in Colombo.

The details of the rearranged trip, for which bio-security and travel protocols have been agreed, was subject to some speculation in recent weeks, with the ECB having to postpone their

original confirmation of the arrangements on December 2 due to the need for further ratification from Sri Lanka’s ministry of health and Sri Lanka Cricket.

The squad will arrive in Sri Lanka on January 2, on a chartered flight from London to Hambantota in the south of the island, where they will be permitted to train and prepare for five days from January 59 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

The first Test will take place between January 14-18, with the second Test following on January 22-26 before the squad departs from Hambantota the following day.

England’s Test squad is expected to be confirmed in the coming days, and comes in the wake of the abandonment of England’s white-ball

tour of South Africa, due to concerns about the bio-secure integrity of the team hotel in Cape Town.

One absentee from the squad may prove to be Rory Burns, who indicated in an interview last week that he may skip the tour to attend the birth of his first child.

Jonny Bairstow, who last played a Test in South Africa 12 months ago, is a likely inclusion, having already withdrawn from his BBL deal with Melbourne Stars.

Jofra Archer is another player who may be rested from the Sri Lanka series, having spent most of the preceding five months in bio-secure environments during the English summer, the IPL and the T20I leg of the South Africa tour, while Ollie Pope’s availability is unclear following an operation on his shoulder.

England’s tour to Sri Lanka was cut short by the pandemic in March 2020. (AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking in the wake of the South Africa tour abandonment, Ashley Giles, England’s team director, re-iterated that player welfare was the board’s primary concern in the current climate, adding that mental health screening

would be factored into forthcoming selections, with a tour of India also coming up in February and March before the impending return of the English season and the 2021 IPL. “These are very difficult

environments, you are away for long periods, it is tough for everyone and those layers of bio-security just add a different level of anxiety,” Giles said.

“These guys have been (Continued on page 27)

Jamaica deliver solid performance at CAC Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships Jamaica’s team that finished fifth at the CAC Bodybuilding and Fitness that concluded in the Dominican Republic.

SportsMax - Jamaica’s team that finished fifth at the CAC Bodybuilding and Fitness that concluded in the Dominican Republic earlier this week. Jamaica was the highest ranked team from the English-speaking Caribbean with 108 points at the tournament dominated by the home team who amassed 551 points.

They were followed by Mexico (217 points), Guatemala (198) and El

Salvador (191).Bahamas (43) and Antigua and Barbuda (24) were eighth and ninth respectively.

“We got five trophies, two first place and three second places and four other members ending with topsix finishes,” said Matthew Smith Barrett, the assistant treasurer of the Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JBBFA) of the 14-member team that travelled for the

competition.Asahane Gordon Morrison won the Women’s Physique Open Class while Ricky James won the Men’s Physique (Short) over Christopher Murillo of Costa Rica and Wellington Wallace of the Bahamas, who were second and third, respectively. James’ teammate Kemoy Maine was fourth.

Meanwhile, Rajae Grandison finished second in the Bodybuilding

Juniors category won by Mexico’s Luis Manuel Molina Calderon. Juan Pablo Rivera from Costa Rica was third.

Akeem Messam-Hinds was the runner-up to Haiti’s Perkendy Kasimir while Kaif Young of the Bahamas was third.

The outstanding Deidre Lewis, who won gold in 2019, was the silver medalist this time in the

Women’s Bikini (Short) category won by Febe Marinee Alonzo Moreno from Mexico. Clavel Navarro Cabrera of the Dominican Republic was third.

Kashane McFarlane was fifth in the Men’s Physique (Tall), a similar position to Daniel Haughton in the Men’s Physique (Middle Height).

Dwight James finished sixth in Men’s Bodybuilding.

PAGE 30

Kohli absence will create ‘void’ for India, Tendulkar tells AFP

AFP - Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar said captain Virat Kohli’s departure will leave a “void” for India in their Test tour of Australia, but added that it will hand a golden opportunity to a younger player.

Kohli will only lead the side in the first of the four Tests, starting in Adelaide on December 17, before returning home for the birth of his first child.

There have been calls from some veterans for Kohli, India’s skipper in all three formats, to hand over some of his captaincy duties permanently.

Tendulkar would not join that debate, but said India’s “bench strength” would help as they bid to win a second straight Test series win in Australia.

“When you lose an experienced player like this (Kohli) there is without any doubt a void,” Tendulkar, the record run-maker and former India captain told AFP in an interview.

“But let’s understand, this is not about individuals. It is about our team and the best part about Indian cricket right now is there is bench strength,” added Tendulkar.

“So Virat has to come back for personal reasons and some youngster is going to get a chance to play in his spot and that’s an opportunity for someone else.”

Australia beat India in the one-day series 2-1, with the tourists reversing the result in the Twenty20 matches.

Kohli’s men, who enjoyed a historic first Test series win in Australia on their last tour in 2018-19, know this will be a tougher proposition.

India’s captain Virat Kohli will leave Australia after the first Test.

Australia are just ahead of India in the world Test rankings and the Adelaide game will be India’s first day-night five-dayer on foreign soil.

- ‘Complete bowling attack’ Tendulkar, 47, said the current Australian side is a lot “stronger” with leading batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith back from the ball-tampering suspensions that kept them out two years ago.

“From the last time that Australia played India they have got three important players.

They have got Warner who is back in the team, Smith and (Marnus) Labuschagne,” said Tendulkar.

“This is a far better squad compared to the earlier one. When a couple of your senior members are not there, suddenly that void is felt and that is what Australia felt.”

But Tendulkar insisted that India’s bowling attack led by the fiery Jasprit Bumrah and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is also stronger and can challenge Australia.

“Every era should be kept separate, I don’t like comparing,” he said, when asked if this was the strongest attack India has produced.

“But I can say that it (India) is a complete bowling attack. So it doesn’t matter what kind of surface you are playing on, you have got all sides covered.

“You have got bowlers who can swing the ball. When it comes to variations and awkwardness, that is also there.

“Someone hitting the deck hard is also there. We have got a wrist spinner, we have got finger spinners.”

Tendulkar, a right-hand batting maestro, made his debut for India aged just 16 in 1989 and set a swathe of batting records before retiring in 2013. various areas.

He also made promises that in the next budget more will be on offer and a number of grounds in the region will be upgraded.

He also reiterated the Government’s promise to convert the Albion Community Centre to a full fled Stadium and complete the Burnham Park facility which is under construction into a stadium.

A number of concerns were raised by residents, which the minister promised to address in the shortest possible time. (Samuel Whyte)

GGA/Nexgen GA make donation to Hope ...

From page 33 contributions to the Orphanage can contact Mr. Hussain who has agreed to do whatever it takes to help us complete the project,” said Finlayson.

The Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy have led the way in using sports for fundraising in the past few years and

Cricket West Indies and Cricket Australia celebrate 60th anniversary of famous Tied Test

Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar said India’s current squad has strength in depth.

Minister of Sport and team visit East Berbice...

From page 33 and his team visited the Indian Monument Site at Palmyra, East Coast Berbice, Rose Hall Estate Community Centre in East Canje, Chesney, Jai Hind, Hampshire, Whim, No 70, Line Path and Crabwood Creek on the Corentyne.

During the visit Minister Ramson and his team distributed a number of floodlights and cricket gear to some of the sports groups and communities as well as held discussions with organizations, groups and individuals from the

Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

Hussain promised that greater things were in the works.

There are many opportunities for groups and individuals who wish to partake in the sport or use the Academy to create a safe, covid compliant activity just by stopping by, visiting their Facebook page or calling 6450944.

West Indies team manager Gerry Gomez and captain Frank Worrell are cheered by a huge crowd in a parade through the streets of Melbourne © Getty Images Cricket Australia and the Cricket West Indies marked the 60th anniversary of the “Tied Test” at the Gabba with an international video conference featuring Alan Davidson, Neil Harvey, Lance Gibbs and Peter Lashley, all of whom played a role in one of the most celebrated matches in history.

Earl Eddings, Chair of Cricket Australia, paid tribute to all those who took part in the famous Brisbane Test of 1960-61 and the enduring bond between the two cricketing sides.

“The first Tied Test, which began 60 years ago today at the Gabba, will forever be regarded as one of the greatest matches ever played,” Eddings said.

“When Joe Solomon ran out Ian Meckiff for the final wicket, the cricketing world stood captivated and a famous rivalry was born.

“There were heroes on both sides.

For the West Indies, Sir Garfield Sobers hit a sublime

first innings century, Sir Frank Worrell struck half-centuries in both innings and Wes Hall claimed nine wickets for the match.

“For the Australians, Norm O’Neill starred with 181 first innings and Alan Davidson, in one of the great all-round performances, took 11 wickets for the match and top-scored with 80 in the second innings.

“In the Caribbean as in Australia, the Tied Test is regarded as a seminal sporting moment defined by tremendous skill, fierce determination and a spirit of friendship that endures to this day.

“It took 83 years for Test cricket to produce its first ever tie. It will be remembered for eternity.”

Ricky Skerritt, President of Cricket West Indies, said matches between the two cricket nations have always been keenly contested and the mutual respect and rivalry is alive today in the pursuit for the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy. Skerritt added that the

West Indies looked forward to hosting the Aussies in 2021.

“Remembering the first ever Tied Test match from 60 years ago is a celebration of the greatness of Test cricket,” Skerritt said. “It also reminds us that astute leadership, teamwork, and a never-say-die attitude are the same key qualities still required for Test match success today.”

West Indies Squad: Sir Frank Worrell (captain), Sir Conrad Hunte, Cammie Smith, Rohan Kanhai, Sir Garfield Sobers, Joe Solomon, Peter Lashley, Gerry Alexander, Sir Wes Hall, Sonny Ramadhin, Alf Valentine, Lance Gibbs, Chester Watson, Seymour Nurse, Jackie Hendricks, Tom Dewdney Australia Team: Richie Benaud (captain), Colin McDonald, Bobby Simpson, Neil Harvey, Norman O’Neill, Les Favell, Ken MacKay, Alan Davidson, Wally Grout, Ian Meckiff, Lindsay Kline.

(CWI Release)

GCB/ Tropical Spring O-40 T20 cricket Semis set for Everest tomorrow After seven rounds of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) Tropical Spring Over-40 T20 cricket tournament with zones being played in Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo, it has come down to the final four teams clashing in tomorrow’s semi-finals at First-Class venue Everest on Camp Road in the City.

In Sunday’s quarter finals West Demerara Masters, West Demerara Mavericks, Jai Hind Jaguars from Albion Berbice and Regal Masters advanced to the ‘final four’ with West Demerara Masters battling West Demerara Mavericks at 9:30 am, while Jai Hind Jaguars face-off with Regal Masters at 1:45 pm.

The two winners will advance to the grand finale which is set for Saturday at noon at Everest with Sunday December13, being the reserve day in the event of rain.

The alternative venue for both semis and Final is the Enmore Community Centre ground on the East Coast of Demerara. This is due to the uncertainty of the weather in the City where most of the games were washed out.

According to the GCB, teams will be notified of the change, either the day before the matches or latest, the morning of the game.

Thursday December 10, 2020

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

UEFA open disciplinary case over Paris race incident MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -UEFA has opened a disciplinary proceeding into Tuesday’s Champions League match between Paris St Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir when players walked off in protest at after the Turkish club accused a match official of racism.

European soccer’s governing body said yesterday that it had appointed an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to “conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding the incident”.

A disciplinary investigation can result in sanctions and match officials are covered by UEFA’s disciplinary regulations which are regularly used to punish clubs and players.

The incident was sparked when Basaksehir’s assistant coach Pierre Webo was shown a red card for protesting against a refereeing decision and the Turkish side then alleged that the Romanian fourth official Sebastian Coltescu used a racist term towards the Cameroonian.

The players from both teams left the field after about 10 minutes of discussions with Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan, a first in European football. The game, which was suspended after 13 minutes, was completed yester-

day with new match officials.

TV footage showed fourth official Coltescu saying in Romanian: ‘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 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. The Romanian word for black is “negru”.

“The words we’ve all heard have no place in football, all the more because referees set the standard for respecting rules and field balance,” Romanian Football Federation (FRF) president Razvan Burleanu told Romanian sports news website ProSport.

“As a Federation, we not only respect UEFA values regarding social inclusion, antiracism and stopping hate incitement, we also promote them.”

“If it is proved that we are talking about racism, there will be no understanding on my part. However, we must wait for all the actual details of this incident before drawing conclusions,” added Burleanu.

“The intention doesn’t

Referee Ovidiu Hategan with Istanbul Basaksehir’s Demba Ba as the match is interrupted between Paris St Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir F.K. at Parc des Princes in Paris. (REUTERS/Charles Platiau) appear to have been to insult, I think that is obvious. The UEFA report will clarify the incident and the measure of guilt for those involved.”

Reuters approached the FRF for comment from the match officials but did not receive an immediate response.

“We can’t make any statement, we must first talk to UEFA,” Romanian sports news website ProSport.ro quoted a statement by referee Ovidiu Hategan given to europe1.fr.

“I would normally have answered you, but not to-

night. We’re obviously disconsolate but please respect our silence.”

‘PLAYERSARE FED UP’ Romanian Sports Minister Ionut Stroe apologised for the incident.

“We firmly condemn any statement that could be considered racist or discriminatory,” Stroe told television station Digi24.

“I apologise on behalf of Romanian sport for this unfortunate incident. It was one incident, it does not represent

Romanian sport.

“The UEFA investigation will tell us what really happened and then measures will be taken. I don’t think this will lead to a diplomatic scandal, we all condemn such an incident. Such unfortunate language will be sanctioned.

“I wish the language use were inoffensive or neutral, but we must not tolerate such behaviour. We will have talks about how we can repair this situation,” he added.

Piara Powar, executive di-

rector of the anti-racism monitoring and campaigning group Fare said: “This incident shows the need for much better training of match officials. Unintentional racism is still racism. If officials cannot set the standards by their own behaviour they cannot be relied on to deal with racism on the pitch or in the stands.”

Powar said the walk-off showed the mood among players in relation to racism issues.

“The walk off by both Basaksehir and PSG together lays down a marker in Europe.

Many players are fed up with half measures to tackle racism and are more prepared than ever before to exercise their right to stop a match,” he added.French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet praised the players for leaving the field.

“I would like to salute the attitude of the two teams who took a strong and exemplary decision in leaving the field.

These unacceptable incidents have no place in a stadium,” he said.

UEFA appointed Dutch referee Danny Makkelie to take charge of the restarted game yesterday with Poland’s Bartosz Frankowski as the fourth official.

CAF fines Aubameyang for social Salah breaks Liverpool scor- media outburst Arsenal’s PierreEmerick Aubameyang during the match ing record in Midtjylland draw Arsenal v

BBC Sport - Mohamed Salah became Liverpool’s record Champions League goalscorer as the Reds completed their group-stage campaign with a draw at Midtjylland.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were already assured of top spot coming into the game and they began in perfect fashion as Egypt international Salah ran clear and poked home after just 55 seconds.

It was the quickest goal the team had scored in the Champions League and on a night of numerous records for the much-changed visitors, Salah’s strike was his 22nd in the competition, surpassing club legend Steven Gerrard.

Summer signing Diogo Jota forced Midtjylland goalkeeper Jesper Hansen into smart saves via a flicked effort and another drive from the angle, while Divock Origi side-footed wide from an unmarked position.

Evander rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike as the hosts piled on the pressure in the second half and they claimed a deserved point through Alexander Scholz’s confident penalty.

Serie A side Atalanta clinched second place in Group H with a 1-0 win at Ajax, who drop into the Europa League, while Danish champions Midtjylland finish bottom.

Liverpool have been blighted by injuries to key first-team players this season, but have made light of the situation as a patched-up side hung on to extend their run to one defeat in their last 13 games in all competitions.

That result against Atalanta was their only loss in the Champions League this term, as six-time European champions Liverpool collected four victories and a draw in the group stage.

With progression to the knockout stages already secured, Klopp took the opportunity to field Liverpool’s youngest starting XI for a Champions League game, captained by marauding fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold, as well as featuring 19-yearold academy products Rhys Williams and Leighton Clarkson, neither of whom looked out of place.

There was also a secondhalf debut for French teenager

Billy Koumetio who, at 18 years and 25 days, became Liverpool’s youngest player in the European Cup. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher made a sharp shot at the near post to deny Sory Kaba and Erik Sviatchenko’s header late on, but the Irishman missed out on backto-back clean sheets in the competition by bringing down Anders Dreyer in the box, with Scholz converting the resulting penalty.

The Reds may have felt disappointed at having the spot-kick given against them as the assistant referee initially flagged for offside, but the referee awarded the penalty after watching the replay on the pitchside monitor and subsequent replays showed Dreyer was onside.

The video assistant referee played a role once again, denying both sides winning goals - Midtjylland for offside and Liverpool for a Sadio Mane handball - but the night belonged to Salah, who picked off a loose backpass and scuffed home a finish early on to take his tally to 106 goals in just 170 games for Liverpool.

CAIRO (Reuters) - PierreEmerick Aubameyang has been fined $10,000 for social media posts that tarnished the “honour and image” of the Confederation of African Football after his Gabon team spent the night on an airport floor ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier last month.

Aubameyang and his team mates were stuck at the airport in the Gambia after arriving for a qualifying game.

They were not allowed to leave as officials argued over COVID-19 testing.

The Arsenal striker posted pictures of players sleeping on the airport floor and wrote: “Nice job CAF, it’s as if we were back in the 1990s.”

He later added: “This will not demotivate us but people need to know and CAF need to take responsibility. (It is) 2020 and we want Africa to grow but this is not how we will get there.”

CAF’s disciplinary committee said the content was offensive and degrading. African football’s governing body also fined Gambia’s FA $100,000, half of which was suspended for 24 months.

“The Gambian federation did not comply to the loyalty,

Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium.

(Pool via REUTERS/ Julian Finney)

integrity and sportsmanship values and rules of fair play concerning the reception of the Gabonese delegation,” CAF said in a statement.

Gabon arrived shortly before midnight and were allowed to go their hotel about five hours later. They lost 2-1 to Gambia later in the day.

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 10, 2020

Paris St-Germain beat Istanbul Basaksehir 5-1 in restarted game behind Neymar hat-trick Both sets of players and match officials took a knee around the centre circle during the Champions League anthem. (Reuters)

Neymar scored three and won a penalty in PSG’s win.

(Reuters) BBC Sport - Paris St-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir players took a knee around the centre circle in an anti-racism message before the restart of their Champions League tie yesterday.

Neymar scored a hat-trick as PSG won the game 5-1 to top their group.

The match was abandoned on Tuesday at 0-0 after the fourth official was accused of using a racist term towards Basaksehir assistant Pierre Webo.

Both sets of players walked off the pitch, with the game delayed by a day.

It restarted with a Basaksehir free-kick in the 14th minute.Webo - who had been sent off - was allowed to take his place on the away bench, with his red card suspended while Uefa investigates the whole incident.

A new set of officials were in charge, with

Dutchman Danny Makkelie appointed referee.

Both sets of players and the officials - who also took a knee during the Champions League anthem - wore ‘no to racism’ T-shirts in the warm-up, with anti-racism banners in the stands.

When the game restarted, Neymar starred with his third Champions League hat-trick.

He opened the scoring by nutmegging a defender and curling home, before finishing off a counter-attack and getting his third from 20 yards.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice, including a penalty won for a foul on Neymar.

Mehmet Topal scored Basaksehir’s goal.

Victory for PSG means they top the group ahead of RB Leipzig, who qualified and eliminated Manchester United with a 3-2 win over the English side on Tuesday.

Windies have to be prepared to fight says coach Estwick on eve of second New Zealand Test Windies bowling coach Roddy Estwick (r) and Shannon Gabriel speak to the media ahead of Thursday’s second Test in Wellington.

GTTA ‘restart’ tournament now scheduled for next Thursday The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) had earmarked this weekend for the commencement of the ‘Restart’ tournament since the Covid-19 outbreak but after a couple hiccups, they are all set to serve off the event next Thursday (December 17) at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) on Thomas Lands.

Head of the GTTA, Godfrey Munroe, highlighted that although the tournament had been rescheduled twice before, all systems are in place and it would take an extraordinary circumstance to not have the event contested next Thursday.

As stated before, the ‘restart’ tourney will have special rules of engagement and will follow strict Covid-19 protocols.

Although table tennis tournament usually last a weekend, this morning will be

longer since fewer matches will be able to be contested at the venue, due to not only space but because the amount of participants and persons in general at the MSC will be limited.

Some of the protocols for this tournament will include: social distancing, use of Personal Protective Equipment, wiping of balls, before every session and match, sanitising of the area, temperature checks, and asking players not to use public transportation.

The format will feature a best 16 followed by individual events where players will only show up at the venue for their matches based on their draw.

In terms of approval from the relevant authorities, Munroe told the media that, “Basically we wrote to them [National COVID-19 Task Force], but we have not got-

ten a response; but I was apprised that it is geared based on the Minister’s instructions that we can go ahead once we observe those (covid-19) protocols.”

“Most of the players are working on training and they are eager to get back into action because just continued training and not getting to compete could be disheartening.”

Table Tennis is considered non-contact, players were allowed to resume training in small groups since August but Sports was allowed to resume since November 1.

Munroe noted that it is important for the players to get back into action as soon as possible since there are few important tournaments schedule for next year including the Caribbean Senior Championships, slated for Cuba in April.

SportsMax - West Indies bowling coach says the team has to be prepared to fight and not roll over when they face New Zealand in the second and final Test at Wellington today (last night Caribbean time).

The West Indies were defeated by an innings and 134 runs last weekend at Hamilton in a match that ended early on the fourth day.

Speaking on the eve of the match, Estwick said the team had honest and frank discussions but the time had come for the players to back themselves to deliver when it matters.

“The talking has to stop.

We have to go out and stay in the contest, stay in the fight,” he said.

“We have got to be ready. The game in Hamilton is gone, we have to look forward to this one in Wellington. We are repre-

senting eight million people back in the Caribbean. They want to see us fight and we have to be prepared to fight.

“We can’t just roll over and say New Zealand is a good side and we are not going to fight and we’re going to lay down an let them run all over us. Once we can stay in the contest we have a chance.”

In the first Test, the West Indies replying to New Zealand’s 519 for 7, got off to a solid start at 49 without loss but as has seemingly become the norm, collapsed to 138 for 9. Shane Dowrich was unable to bat because of a reported hand injury.

Following on, the team collapsed again to 89 for 6 before Jermaine Blackwood scored 104 and Alzarri Joseph, a career best 86, in a 155-run seventh wicket partnership that took the West Indies to a more respectable 247.

Estwick said the team had to improve in all areas when play begins in Wellington.

“We have to be prepared to work hard. The bowlers have to be prepared to bowl long spells, a lot of overs, the batsmen have to be prepared to bat for a very long time. This is Test cricket, this is one of the better teams in the world and you have got to be prepared to do those things,” Estwick said.

“If you’re not prepared to do these things then you’re going to play T20 cricket but you have to be prepared to scrap and fight and battle and really represent. Put a price on your wicket, put a price on every ball you bowl, put a price on every ball you field, put a price on every ball you catch.

“There is no other way, there is no hiding place in Test cricket.”

Thursday December 10, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Minister of Sport and team visit East Berbice, distribute Floodlights, cricket gear

Kenneth Finlayson accepts the cheque from Michelle Codrington in the presence of GGA President Aleem Hussain.

GGA/Nexgen GA make donation to Hope Orphanage

T

Sports Minister Charles Ramson Jr (centre foreground) hands over the lighting fixtures to Reps in one of the areas he visited last Sunday in East Berbice.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr on Sunday last spent the entire day visiting a number of communities in East Berbice.

The energetic Minister, who is also an Attorney at Law, was accompanied by a high level team from his ministry and Regional

Officials including Kashif Muhammad and Regional Chairman David Armogan among others.

The visit by the minister and his team is a follow up on a previous visit and to fulfill commitments he made earlier.The Minister (Continued on page 30)

he Guyana Golf Association in collaboration with the Nexgen Golf Academy has made a timely donation to Hope Children’s Orphanage.

Following a fund raising event held by the GGA and Nexgen GA on Sunday where the children were exposed to the sport, Golf Association president Aleem Hussain and Michelle

Codrington fulfilled the Nexgen Golf Academy promise to deliver a better Christmas in 2020. At a presentation ceremony held yesterday, the duo handed over a cheque to Director of the Orphanage Kenneth Finlayson.

Finlayson expressed his gratitude and the children enthusiastically sang carols as they recalled the wonderful event held on

Sunday.

Mr. Finlayson said that this would definitely give the children much better holiday than previously anticipated and he was looking forward to more support to complete the planned building expansion which had been stalled due to lack of funds and materials. “Persons or companies interested in making (Continued on page 30)

Salah breaks Liverpool rt o p S

scoring record in Midtjylland draw

Mohamed Salah (left) scored his 22nd Champions League goal for Liverpool.

(Getty Images)

Cricket West Indies and UEFA open disciplinary case Cricket Australia celebrate 60th over Paris race incident anniversary of famous Tied Test

Table Tennis is set for the Malteenoes Sport Club next Thursday.

Head of the GTTA Godfrey Munroe.

GTTA ‘restart’ tournament now scheduled for next Thursday Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.