Kaieteur News

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Surge in COVID-19 NEWS cases in January could be disastrous for health sector AIETEUR

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

Tuesday Edition December 29, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 52

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

- Emergency Medicine Specialist warns

Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 106,077

Without proper depletion policy, oil producing states could lose billions of dollars p.

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- Someone needs to defend Guyana’s case before it is too late - T&T Expert warns

Education Ministry paid $28M for foundation design, then abandoned it - AG Report

$412M St. Rose’s High School...

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11.5 tonnes Belgium cocaine bust…

Man drives Probe pinpoints After $3B, away with car those responsible another $4B after given for deleting GRA funnelled scanner images a free ride - says Minister Benn into GuySuCo T&T PM, Keith Rowley, to assume CARICOM Chairmanship p.

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- Outgoing Chair commends Guyanese for patience, p. maturity during election 3

GRA takes fuel company to court over falsified invoice p.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Jackson Creek man burnt to death in home Dead: Roy Rajbanse

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olice have launched an investigation into the presumed fiery death of an elderly man of Jackson Creek, Upper Corentyne, Berbice. According to police, several persons have already been questioned.

A fire of unknown origin, this past weekend, ripped through the home of 61-yearold Roy Rajbanse. Reports suggest that he was trapped in the blaze and burnt to death as a result.

The fire reportedly began between 20:30hrs on the December 26th and 06:30hrs on the December 27th.

The deceased is said to be a known alcoholic who also smoked heavily. He lived in a 10Ă—12 flat, wooden structure on wooden posts.

Based on information given by Raymond Jordan, a farmer of Moleson Creek, at about 16:00hrs on December 26th, he and the now deceased (Rajbanse) were imbibing at the front of the

deceased's yard.

They both became intoxicated. He stated that the deceased left and went into his house while he (Jordan) went to his residence at Moleson Creek.

However, on December 27th at about 06:20hrs, as persons were passing on the access road, they observed the fire and raised an alarm.

The police and fire service were informed and responded promptly.

It was while firefighters were taming the blaze that they stumbled upon the remains of the body.

The deceased's home, which had no electricity, was situated among vegetations with no other houses nearby.

His body was discovered west of the building among debris. It was removed and taken to the Skeldon Hospital where a doctor recorded Rajbanse's passing.

The body is presently at the Baileys Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem.

Man drives away with car after given a free ride

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passenger yesterday drove away with a car after its owner and her brother went into a supermarket, leaving him inside. Owner of the car, Abigail Brutus, 48, of RectD o o r- Z e e , We s t B a n k Demerara (WBD) had her car stolen at around 07:20hrs at the Bagostville Junction.

The woman told police that the passenger had stopped her car while she was driving along the Canal Number One Access Road with her brother. The man

asked for a drop and she willingly complied.

A short while after she parked in front of a supermarket at the Bagotsville Junction, she and her brother exited the car and went into the supermarket, leaving the passenger in the car with the keys in the ignition.

About five minutes later they returned to the car, but neither the car nor the passenger was found.

Police have since launched a man hunt for the passenger and the car.

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 03

Without proper depletion policy, oil producing states could lose - Someone needs to defend Guyana's case billions of dollars before it is too late - T&T Expert warns W

By Kiana Wilburg

i t h i t s discovery of over nine billion barrels of oil equivalent resources in the Stabroek Block, American oil giant, ExxonMobil, is hell-bent on turning these petroleum finds into billions of dollars for its shareholders via a suite of development projects. In fact, the company hopes to have as many as five floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels operating offshore Guyana by 2026.

But is this explosion of development in Guyana's interest? In the eyes of Trinidad and Tobago's

Energy Strategist, Anthony Paul, the answer is an emphatic “NO!” The industry specialist was quick to highlight two examples to cement his argument. In one case, he showed how an oil producing country was able to save significantly by having the right depletion guidelines in place while another lost out substantially in the absence of proper rules.

In relation to the former, Paul noted the case of Ghana. He said, “This African country had two adjacent fields. Field A had a FPSO working round the clock, extracting the oil.

Now, when it came to Field B, there were plans to bring

in a second oil ship. But the country's authorities told the oil companies, “No, let us wait and use the Field A FPSO on Field B instead of having to increase costs and shorten the lifespan of the sector.”

From this example, Paul said the question Guyana needs to ask itself is: What is the right pace of depletion for the Stabroek Block? And more importantly, what is the right order of depletion for the various fields? Also, how can this be done in a way that maximizes benefits for the country?

Turning his attention to his next case, Paul was keen to note that Trinidad holds some key lessons that Guyana should not ignore.

He said that as a result of not having a proper policy in place for the development of natural gas, Trinidad and Tobago possibly left billions of dollars in gas resources behind in the ground which it cannot go back and remove.

Expounding further, Paul said, “In T&T, companies take out the gas from the ground at high pressure, put it in high pressure pipelines, and send it to shore. But once the pressure in the reservoir drops below a certain limit, the oil companies close up and move to another reservoir. By operating in this way, they leave a lot of gas in the ground.”

Paul continued, “…In reality, we should have had a policy in place which

demanded that all the gas be produced. We didn't have that and the oil companies knew that if we had forced them to do that, they would have had to put systems in place to ensure that is done.

That would have meant spending more money. And more money means fewer profits for their shareholders…”

With the foregoing example in mind, Paul stressed that a country essentially loses significantly without a proper depletion policy. He said that Guyana needs to understand that managing these resources is technical business and would therefore require strong capacity to manage it and

Trinidadian Energy Expert, Anthony Paul negotiate with the oil companies in the best interest of the country.

“You must have this big picture in mind and someone has to be looking at it because if you leave it to the companies, they will manage it in a way that yields the best results for them. So someone needs to defend Guyana's case before it is too late,” the T&T Expert concluded.

T&T PM, Keith Rowley to assume CARICOM - Outgoing Chair commends Guyanese chairmanship for patience, maturity during election

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rime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley, is about to take over the chairmanship of the C aribbean Community (CARICOM) as the region grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. His term begins at the start of 2021.

Rowley will be taking over from Prime Minister of S t . Vi n c e n t a n d t h e Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves. Gonsalves had taken up the post in the middle of 2020 from Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley.

Mottley and Gonsalves played key roles in keeping the eyes of the region and the rest of the international community on Guyana during a period when the stability of the country's democracy was threatened.

Mottley had sent a team to help facilitate a national recount of votes when the Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo lorded over a nontransparent initial vote count, which was later found to be fraudulent.

Even before he took over the regional chairmanship, Gonsalves had urged then President, David Granger, to concede his loss.

CARICOM had sent a

criticised international observers, heads of state and leaders of regional organisations who made calls for the Coalition government to concede.

The team that came produced a report which found that the results of the

Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves

Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley

three-person team which acted as a point of contact for international observers, as C O V I D - 1 9 e m e rg e n c y measures restricted observer access to the recount venue.

Dr. Rowley had cited

'serious accusations' against CARICOM as the reason for his country's Chief Elections Officer not joining the highlevel team which observed the recount. Allies and supporters had viciously

elections were reasonably credible, and urged that a declaration be made on the basis of the results of the national vote recount which showed the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) as the victor.

When the findings of the

CARICOM team went public, virtually all international observers threw their support behind the recommendations.

Even when the Granger administration mounted legal challenges to the results of the recount, Gonsalves urged that all stakeholders accept and respect the ruling of the (continued on page 5)

PAGE 4

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Welcome High Commissioner Berman We at this news network roll out the red carpet of welcome for His Excellency, Mark Berman, the new Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana. Welcome, sir! And we trust that this stint will be mutually respectful and helpful. When this is so, then the interests of both Canada and Guyana will be well served. If it is not, as in one-sided, then things go downhill.

As we extend the courtesies due to His Excellency, we remind him and his team that we have one agenda only. It is about what is good for Guyana and all of its peoples. All other considerations fade to the margins. We can appreciate that High Commissioner Berman has identical priorities regarding his own responsibilities to his country and his fellow Canadian citizens. As much as we understand and respect the Canadian High Commissioner’s position, where the interests of Guyana are concerned, we have no friends, we have no competing loyalties that come close, and we have no qualms about presenting in the clearest terms where we stand.

One of the things on which we have taken a sharp, firm stance, is this oil of ours and what has been done to us from the inception, and which continues to plague us through still more missteps and hesitancies. One of these involves the weakness and exposures that we have to our environment, and which flows from our oil production.

Specific, it is the way that our contracted oil producing partners from close to where the High Commissioner hails from; operate to the detriment of this nation and its reputation for caring for the environment by doing everything it can.

To be frank, we currently lack the expertise to manage our oil production environment, to our liking, to our benefit.

Because of this vulnerability, we are taken advantage of and held to ransom. We just do not know enough, are not strong enough. But we did notice from a short biographic sketch that we had published announcing the naming of His Excellency as Canada’s next High Commissioner to Guyana that he has had significant exposure though longstanding and high-level involvement with environmental work in several official capacities. In fact, we would go so far as to state that the new High Commissioner qualifies as a bona fide expert on matters of the environment. In view of this background, High Commissioner Berman could be worth his weight in gold to Guyana.

It is something that we urge the sitting Government of Guyana to explore early and capitalize upon smartly. It is this same something that we respectfully invite High Commissioner Berman to lend a guiding hand here and there, from behind the scenes, and especially in controversies and crunches concerning this oil of ours. He could be a hoped-for authoritative voice in our oil environment, one that we currently lack severely. We see him as part resident unofficial consultant and in such a manner that does not impinge on his national obligations.

What we lack in awareness and knowledge, the High Commissioner could furnish adeptly. To those who say that this is not the role of the High Commissioner, we agree wholeheartedly. Still, as we do so, we recall (and call on our fellow Guyanese and guest Canadian friends to remember, too) the persistent and potent role that the High Commissioner’s immediate predecessor played in this country’s quest and struggle for electoral democracy. The more we weigh that and think about that, the more we believe that we are neither stepping out of bounds nor straining the parameters of diplomatic protocol. Truth be told, as we see it, we are simply extending the continuum of helping hands on issues that count and in times of dire need. This did not cause any insurmountable problems before; thus, we fail to see how it could present any at this time, and for what we encourage. Examine this particular senior envoy, and it is clear that he has been a trusted advisor at home to senior people, capable authority in several foreign locations, and someone who is always on the rise when the environment is under the microscope. We say again, therefore why not?

And not to forget: welcome and have a lovely stay here.

Countermeasures needed against dictatorship and giving away resources Dear Editor, Almost five months have passed but no measures have been put in place to counter the rise of a dictatorship and or protect our natural resources. As Mr. Glen Lall has informed us, our natural resources that are being given away and in fact also subsidized with tax benefits (Dec 27) to foreigners with Guyanese companies at a disadvantage to compete with them.

The public needs to be reminded that the plan or plot to install a dictatorship during the March 2 electoral rigging has not been abandoned.

The plan was to establish what was essentially going to be a racist dictatorship with military and police support.

The rigging was to give APNU a victory and then use the armed forces to secure the victory. The diplomats prevented that plot from coming to fruition through sanctions and international pressure. The ABCE countries’ intervention was not over preference for any party, but they could not afford to have a military

backed government and a racist one at that. One recalls that the ABCE countries supported the removal of PPP from office in 2015. ABCE countries do not want to see a military supported government being entrenched.

The scoundrels have not given up on their desire to come to power. They still harbour feelings of assuming power through the backdoor.

The PPP has not thought of an effective response. Since coming to power on August 2, the PPP has not pursued effective countermeasures; the government remains vulnerable as was observed with violence in West Berbice where three lives were sacrificed to divide the people.

Intelligence gathering has been weak on the violence and arresting the brain behind the violence.

The PPP has shown itself to be very ineffective or adopting a “don’t care damn” attitude on security. During the five months attempt to rig the election, aside from a handful of dedicated loyalists who volunteered to protect

the ballot boxes from tampering, the PPP was not very effective in combating the rigging. The PPP did not take assertive measures against the rigging, relying solely on diplomatic measures of the international community. It was the diplomats who were in the forefront against the rigging and who saved democracy.

Had the diplomats been silent or not pro-active, the rigging would have been completed.

On three separate occasions, measures were put in place to swear in David Granger; once Granger would have sworn in, then the election would have been over. A dictatorship would have been in place.

And we would have had to go to court and wait for five years like what happened in 2015 and we are still waiting for a court date.

Democracy is very fragile in our country. Since August 2, virtually nothing has been done to counter any plan to destabilize the government.

The kind of “one person leadership” in the government will not protect the victory of August 2.

Collective leadership and interactions with the public are needed to counter destabilization plan of the former government officials who have no qualms about establishing a dictatorship.

Collective participation in decision making is needed.

The PPP needs to strengthen institutions within the party.

The youth group (PYO) and the women’s organization (PWO), among other groups need to be rehabilitated and revamped. These groups need to be re-activated as in the glorious days of the Jagans. Village and party groups also need to be reactivated. These various groups need to be strengthened and put into action mode to counter destabilization acts of the predecessors.

On special benefits being given to foreigners for oil and gas investment, we want same for local investors. Tax breaks should be withdrawn from foreigners. In fact, locals should receive greater incentives than foreigners.

Yours truly, Haresh Kumar Singh

Regrettably, calls for resignation are not taken seriously by our politicians Dear Editor, After witnessing the near collapse of democracy and the attempt by the APNU+AFC to deny the electorate the right to elect a government of their choice in Guyana during the five unnerving months, the people should not place any trust in the leaders. The coalition government knew that it had lost the election but had refused to concede power to the PPP after being in office for only five years compared to 23 years of PPP rule. It was a colossal, tragic and pitiful mistake by the Granger administration not to accept the results of polls, to put the nation through five months of anguish was futile, nonsensical and silly. And most of them in the APNU+AFC have paid dearly for the mistake in that it has led to severe U.S. sanctions, which could have been avoided if they were honest.

Losing an election is not losing one’s life and it is not the end of the world either.

The wise thing for them to do is to concede and then prepare for the next election.

No one should have been surprised by the attempt by APNU+AFC to hold on to power illegally because after the no confidence motion was passed in December 2018, the leaders of APNU+AFC held

on to power for 15 months instead of the three months allotted by the constitution for new election. It was a clear violation the Article 106 (6) of the Constitution which reads, “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the government is defeated by a vote of majority of all elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” And Article 106 (7) says “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly.” Despite their clarity, the Granger cabal has not only ignored the two Articles of the Constitution, but they spent tens of millions of the taxpayers’ money in legal fees trying to reverse the no confidence and to overturn the election results. In all of the cases, the Constitution prevail.

As reported several times in Kaieteur News and other media outlets, governments past and present have on numerous occasions violated the Constitution. So why the people should expect the leader of the coalition to acknowledge that he lost the

election and demit office. In Guyana, politicians do not easily give up power or resign even when there is an abundance of evidence that they have made grave errors, commit wrongdoings, involved in corrupt or other illegal practices or have flagrantly violated the rule of law. The reason is, there exists a culture of obscenity and unethical conduct among politicians and senior public officials because of their higher status in society.

At times, the two major parties when in opposition, would call on members of the governing party to resign in the face of alleged corrupt practices or wrong doings, but as expected, they never did. Maybe some with a modicum of decency may capitulate under pressure and resign, but it will not be the call from either of the two parties that would make them do it. It would more likely be a judgement call based on their integrity, or a decision taken by the President based on the exigencies of the situation and the possible political fallout in the court of public opinion.

Regrettably, calls for resignation are not taken seriously by our politicians.

Such calls are seen merely by most, if not all as political mischief or one-upmanship or as propaganda stunts to

score cheap political points.

However, some political pundits have opined that the main reason why there is not an established code of ethics or conduct for politicians, is because both parties would be seen as being weak should they discipline their members for wrongdoings. It is hypocritical!

The truth is governments have not even broached the subject of having a code of ethics or conduct for Members of Parliament, or the cabinet. To put it bluntly, a code of ethics or conduct would only be established when civil society and influential interest groups rise up and join in the foray to force governments to recognize that decency dictates that a code of ethics or conduct is needed to hold politicians and governments accountable. Resigning from public office is not easy because of the shame associated with it, but it is critical and ethical to do so in order to maintain the integrity of the office. It should be a defining moment for the country that is woven into a fabric of decency, honesty and professional judgement.

The Greek Philosopher, Parmenides who founded the Eleatic School of Philosophy which influenced Western (Continued on page 5)

Tuesday December 29, 2020

The PPP/C is to be commended for the work done in Region 5 Dear Editor, It has not been ideal. It has not been a utopia or the human fantasy of complete and total harmony. However, the aggregation of all things so far, I commend the PPP/C Government for their administration and aggressive developmental approach in Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice). The Dantzig breach was caused by a show of incompetence, then an incompetence competition followed causing the breach to not be sealed for months until the PPP/C was able to remedy the situation. In terms of Regional Administation, the former REO of this great region operated as if he was a king as we were all serfs ; from model farms, bus sheds in selective villages, street lights in selective villages and that one special contractor friend that everyone knows, it has been good riddance.

The current REO has done a phenomenal job in

rebalancing this region and aligning it with the rest of the country in terms of progressive policies and solid administration. Even the RDC Council meetings are being taken to their statutory conclusion and so far the Regional Chairman, the Vice Chairman and Councillors have been able to execute their mandate.

The MMA-ADA is the country’s largest rice producing scheme which has been completely devastated by the policies of the last administration. This in itself is an understatement of monumental proportions. The PPP/C Government, Ministry of Agriculture, has been extremely aggressive in executing the critical drainage and irrigation, access and maintenance works in this scheme. Rice is no longer private business but a national priority.

Yours truly, Ryan Chitranjan Jaikissoon

...Regrettably, calls From page 4 philosophy around 475 BC said: “The option for public servants to resign reinforces integrity, buttresses responsibility and supports accountability.

It is not an act of weakness, but an ethical action which manifests the nature of public servants in inglorious events that happen while governing.” It is said that one of the greatest threats to democracy and good

governance is leadership that shuns ethics and morality and put personal aggrandizement and party interests before those of the people and the country.

Too much of this practice is rooted in Guyana’s body politic. We must replace it with a code of ethics/conduct and good governance which is basically accountability and transparency.

Yours faithfully, Dr. Asquith Rose.

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Cuban national accused of killing mother and child, captured The Cuban national, who allegedly hammered his girlfriend to death and slit her daughter’s throat have been captured.

Yoel Rodriguez Barrientos was nabbed Monday afternoon by police in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10.

According to police, a wanted bulletin was issued for the fugitive and within hours, they were notified of his whereabouts. He was arrested and taken to the Mackenzie Police Station.

Kaieteur News has been informed that Barrientos will be transported to Georgetown where detectives will interrogate him.

Investigators believe that Barrientos killed his girlfriend Tara Krishnaran, 34, and her daughter Larissa Singh, 11, sometime after 20:00 hrs. on

Captured: alleged murderer, Yoel Rodriguez Barrientos.

Christmas night. Their bodies were discovered in their Princess Street, Lodge, Georgetown home by Barrientos’ father-in-law, Yomona Krishnaran, 67.

Yomona was reportedly

Hammered to death: Tara Krishnaran (right) and her daughter, Larissa Singh, whose throat was slit. asleep in the same house during the time of the double murder.

He told police that Barrientos had gotten into an (Continued on page 17)

...T&T PM, Keith Rowley to assume CARICOM chairmanship From page 3 Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – one of the Courts approached in those proceedings.

In a public address, the outgoing Chair commended the Guyanese people for their patience during the contentious process.

He said “… we stood firmly by the people of Guyana in their quest to uphold the democratic traditions of our Community in the aftermath of the country's General and Regional Elections last March.

The people of Guyana displayed exemplary patience and maturity during the protracted process, and their will prevailed.”

Particular homage was paid to former Barbados PM, Owen Arthur, who died in July due to heart complications. Gonsalves said that Arthur was his friend and a

Caribbean patriot.

“Professor Arthur dedicated his working life to integration and was a strong believer in its power to transform the lives of the people of the Region. His championing of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy evidenced his regional conviction and commitment.

Arthur is remembered for his role too in the maintenance of the stability of Guyana's democracy. He had headed the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Guyana's 2020 elections, and strongly advised the administration to concede for the good of the country.

Gonsalves urged that the region continue to foster a spirit of unity, even as it battles the pandemic.

“That spirit of unity has been a cornerstone of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in 2020,”

Gonsalves said. “As the COVID-19 pandemic raged through the world this past year, our Community harnessed the intellectual and technical capacity available, and successfully managed the health aspects. This resulted in relatively low casualty figures, while containing in large measure the spread of the virus.”

Gonsalves noted the crippling effects of the virus on the Caribbean region.

“The overall economies of our countries have been hard hit, particularly those directly and indirectly dependent on the tourism, travel and entertainment sectors. The global spread of COVID-19 was propelled by travel, and the cur-

tailment of that activity has acutely affected the Caribbean, which is the world's most tourism and travel dependent Region. Still, at Christmas 2020 we are thankful for all the blessings and mercies bestowed upon us.”

Gonsalves said.

PAGE 6

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Kaieteur News

Container courtrooms to facilitate safer virtual hearings of cases and speedier trials Fourteen Container Courtrooms were commissioned at the Lusignan Prison on the East Coast of Demerara yesterday to facilitate safer virtual hearings of cases and speedier trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The container courtrooms are retrofitted with audio/ visual equipment monitors and internet access. Each facility also has a control unit as well as a backup generator system and washroom facilities for prisoners. During the launch at the Lusignan Prison Officers’ Sport Club Tarmac, Chancellor of the Judiciary (Ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, said the “container courtrooms” is part of efforts to ensure that Article 144 of the Constitution of Guyana is upheld.

“Today’s event will put us at a higher level, a level in which we can make a difference, a level in which we can make an impact in the criminal justice system. The rollout of the virtual courtrooms will ensure that justice is not only done, but justice manifestly appears to be done. It will show that we have risen to the challenges of the pandemic,” she said.

Justice CummingsEdwards noted that before the project was initiated, representatives from the Police, the Guyana Prison Service, the Director of Public Prosecutions and members of the Judiciary, formed a criminal task force to devise a strategy to deal with the delay in criminal hearings caused by the pandemic.

“The virtual courtroom is one of the strategies they devised,” the Chancellor said,

adding that the modernised courtrooms demonstrate hope in difficult times and will help to ease the burden on the State.

She also noted that it would reduce the transportation and security cost of having to transport inmates to and from the courts.

Chief Justice (Ag.) Roxane George-Wiltshire said that apart from the 14 virtual courtrooms established, there are plans to open another four at the Camp Street location, eight at New Amsterdam, three at the Mazaruni Prison and four at the Timehri Prison.

“The Courts will benefit the attendance of prisoners in civil and family court matters ensuring their access to justice where they are parties.

They demonstrate the commitment to upholding the rule of law and to respect the human rights of prisoners, victims and their families, who have a vesting interest in the timely hearing of criminal cases.”

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C., said the “historic and unique initiative” is another adjunct to Government’s technological drive.

“The Executive and the Judiciary have joined hands together in creating a completely new addition to the criminal justice system.

This was done without any compromise to the hallowed constitutional doctrine of separation of powers which binds both institutions,” AG Nandlall said.

Additionally, Nandlall stated that the new initiative would also reduce the high

Chief Justice (Ag), Madam Roxane George-Wilshire (left) and Chancellor of the Judiciary (Ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, cutting the ribbon to open the new Courtrooms at the Lusignan Prison. (Photo Credit: DPI) transportation and security costs for transporting prisoners to and from the physical courtrooms.

“This measure will bring great relief to the prison population, who often agitate and protest the delays in court hearings.”

The Attorney General revealed that virtual court would be a permanent fixture for criminal hearings even after the pandemic.

“This is one of the features which we can retain permanently even after COVID-19.”

The Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, said the new annexes would make up for the time lost. He added that a more rehabilitative approach should be taken towards those imprisoned.

“And that could only be made possible when we undertake initiatives like these in terms of the virtual court system, and also in the programmes that we are advancing now, in respect of building new prisons here at

Lusignan, which we have just initiated in terms of the foundation works. We intend to build over the next year or so, much better physical

circumstances to accommodate over 800 prisoners,” Benn said.

Kaieteur News understands that the

initiative was fully funded by the Government of Guyana and the courtrooms were fully constructed by Platinum Sales and Services.

After $3B, another $4B funnelled into GuySuCo Just three months after the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was allocated the sum of $3B, the government returned to the National Assembly yesterday requesting an additional $4B. While the previous $3B was to recapitalize the three estates closed by the former APNU+AFC government at Rose Hall, Skeldon, and Enmore, the $4B requested yesterday will support the recapitalization of the three operating estates at Blairmont, Albion and Uitvlugt, said Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.

Up against intense scrutiny from the APNU+AFC parliamentary opposition, Mustapha told the National Assembly that because of the neglect the three operating estates were subjected over the last five years to; critical capital works have become necessary. “If you go around the three operating estates you will realize that they are operating at 60 percent capacity… so you have to recapitalize to put in critical parts,” Mustapha told the House.

The Minister in his response to questions from Opposition Member of Parliament, Khemraj Ramjattan, on the urgent need for the spending, when a national

budget was recently passed and another is expected within weeks, said that it was a direct response to the neglect of the former government.

Mustapha said the estates were mistreated by the former government and the inefficiency was only determined in subsequent assessments after the 2020 budget was passed.

He said as a matter of policy, the PPP/C government remains committed to returning GuySuCo to profitability and will invest to ensure it happens.

While assuring that the previous $3B went to the purposes intended, Mustapha said the $4B would bring the operating estates to a break-even point and eventually on the road to profitability.

The 2020 National Budget had also made provision for an additional $2B which the government had said is supposed to allow for the financial outlay required towards the reopening of estates.

The Government has started the process to reopen sugar estates closed by the former APNU+AFC Government.

The APNU+AFC Government had closed estates at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara, Rose Hall and Skeldon in Region Six and Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara.

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Tuesday December 29, 2020

Kaieteur News

The Auditor General Report of 2019 red-flagged $4B withdrawn from the Contingency Fund.

The report said that the withdrawals did not meet the criteria.

Year after year, under different Governments, very little respect is shown regarding the laws of Guyana.

It is very clear on how taxpayers' dollars are to be spent.

Year after year, the matters are raised before Parliament's Public Account Committee.

Yet the breaches continue.

Imagine what would happen if we start dealing with billions of US dollars from oil and gas.

Imagine when related matters come up before Parliament and there are no justifications.

A poor man, however, can be jailed for a spliff or two.

All of Guyana long for the day when we have politicians who really care!

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Tuesday December 29, 2020

GRA takes fuel company to Free education at UG court over falsified invoice by end of 2024

T

he Guyana R e v e n u e Authority (GRA) has taken Atlantic Fuels Inc. to court for making a false declaration on an invoice.

The matter is scheduled to come up before the Georgetown Magistrates' Court on January 4, 2021.

According to a court document seen by Kaieteur News, on the 12 day of November 2020, at Lot 200201 Camp Street G e o rg e t o w n , t h e f u e l company, which is owned by former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Richard Van West Charles, caused to be made and subscribed, a false declaration to the revenue authority, to which an invoice number 100 for custom declaration reference number GY 410 C which was falsely declared, contrary to section 217 (1) (a) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.

The document, which lists Godfrey Statia, Commissioner-General of

- President Ali anticipates

P

Former CEO of GWI and Director of Atlantic Fuels Inc., Dr. Richard Van West Charles GRA, as the complainant and Atlantic Fuels Inc. as the respondent, does not give details. Kaieteur News understands that the charge is related under invoicing by the fuel company.

A source attached to the tax agency confirmed that the fuel company has been

Commissioner-General of GRA, Godfrey Statia caught recording less than the amount of fuel in a shipment, which caused the revenue authority to lose revenue.

This is not the first time the fuel company has been caught up in allegations of tax fraud. Last year GRA investigations revealed a similar situation involving Atlantic Fuels Inc.

resident Irfaan Ali over the weekend announced that his Government is working to provide free education at the University of Guyana by the end of 2024.

The Head of State was at the time delivering a virtual address at the country's 50th Republic Awards Ceremony and Cultural Presentation organised by the Guyana Consulate in Canada.

President Ali told his audience that his Government is working on creating a 21st century education system in the country.

“We are providing 20,000 scholarships. We hope to provide free education at the University of Guyana by the end of 2024.

In our Emergency Budget for 2020, we made provisions for doubling the uniform

allowance and increasing, by 50 percent, the cash grant per student from $10,000 to $15,000. We are committed to increasing this by almost 300 percent in the coming years.”

Despite the difficulties faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the President has prioritised education since entering Office in August, according to a government release.

Last week he told residents of the mountainous community of Kato in Region Eight (Potaro–Siparuni), that they will soon receive an Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub in their community, which will provide internet access.

The President, who had also announced the reintroduction of the One Laptop Per Family Initiative

from 2021 during that visit, again mentioned it as he underscored his Government's hope of providing all Guyanese students with the necessary tools to prepare themselves for a competitive future.

President Ali said that the next decade in Guyana would be transformational in all aspects of development and that all Guyanese will benefit.

He told the audience about the improvements earmarked in health care, infrastructure and agriculture, among other areas.

“This is just a snapshot of the plans which are unfolding in our country.

We are accelerating the pace at which we do things because we recognise that we need to ensure that the present generation benefits from development.”

Five more COVID-19 cases recorded

T

he Ministry of Health yesterday reported five new COVID-19 cases in its daily dashboard update. This has increased Guyana's COVID19 cases to 6,298.

The Ministry's dashboard also indicates that there are 52 new case recoveries with the total number of recoveries from the virus

moving to 5,732. A total of 37,565 persons have thus far been tested for the virus countrywide.

Further, it shows seven persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, eight in institutional isolation, 11 in institutional quarantine and an additional 387 persons in home isolation.

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

The supplementary request is chronic T

he recourse by the PPP/C to the N a t i o n a l Assembly for approval of a G$18B supplementary provision represents a serious indictment against the PPP/C Emergency Budget. It is now obvious that there was a massive underestimation of the actual financial needs of the country during the last quarter of this year.

The PPP/C had boasted that it had completed the Emergency Budget in record time. Well, in its haste to do so it seems to have missed a number of things and this has meant that despite passing the Emergency Budget, it now has to return to the National Assembly for more funds.

It is good that the Opposition has opted to interrogate the proposed request for Supplementary Funds. That is the role of any Opposition, to exercise strong oversight over government spending and policies.

H o w e v e r, t h e APNU+AFC is also to blame for the present state of affairs. It too was expending excessive sums without parliamentary approval and it justified this spending on the basis that it represented emergencies. But that was a

Dem

boys seh...

S

oulja Bai get he $25,000 COVID grant. De man tek de money even though some of he supporters seh by tekkin it he mek de PPP/C look good. Some had harsher things to say.

Soulja Bai tek it because he is entitled to it, not that he need de money. He already getting a fat Presidential pension, old age pension, NIS pension, plus an army pension. De man getting mo pension dan some people wah dead and born back again.

De man open de envelope and count it fuh mek sure is five Grangers inside. He den share it out to some people in MochaArcadia. It gat dem boys

five-month emergency and the whole world knows what triggered this so-called emergency.

Photographs in the media had shown images of Bharrat Jagdeo, the Vice President of Guyana, being involved in the Budget-preparation process. It is now obvious that his numbers were askew and it is he, more than any other person, who should be explaining how it is that his numbers were so much offtrack, to the tune of G$18B. Budgeting is not an exact science. No government can be expected to predict with exact precision the amount of expenditure that it will be required during any fiscal year. Nor can it totally cover in its Budget the vast array of needs for which expenditure may subsequently arise.

That is why the country's laws make provision for approaches to the National Assembly for the approval of supplementary spending.

Both PPP/C and APNU+AFC governments have had to go to the National Assembly for Supplementary warrants. In 2014, the PPP/C tabled a Supplementary Bill for G$4.5B. In 2016, the APNU had requested an additional G$2B in supplementary funds.

How did the PPP/C and

its financial expert, Jagdeo, miss the mark by such a large sum? It is an embarrassment that without any interceding Emergency, the government was so far off mark.

Th e g o v er n men t is requesting more than G$2.5B or more than 50 percent of the original sum for the COVID-19 grant. Its explanation is that it had used the 2012 numbers from the census but the original sum was based on these numbers.

That, however, cannot explain why the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is requesting an additional G$2.5B. This would bring the total allocation for the COVID grant to G$7B. This would mean that in Phase 1, the government is catering for some 280,000 households. It is impossible given Guyana's population and the average household size for there to be 280,000 households in Guyana.

Something is amiss here and the Opposition fell asleep during the consideration of this amount. It seemed more concerned about “pink slips” than actual households.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation is expected to receive an additional G$4B. The government is seeking to revive the sugar industry

Soulja Bai sharing out money wondering why he nah sheer it out to dem poor people in Pearl.

It mek dem boys remember de story of de man in a post office who used to have to examine all de mail wah gat addresses wah de postmen cannot find.

One day, a letter came addressed to God with no address. De man decide he gan open de envelope and read de letter.

De letter read: “Dear God, I am a 75-year-old widow. My purse was stolen.

It had $100 in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension cheque.

Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. Can

you please help me?”

De postal man showed de letter to all de other workers. Dey all decided fuh come together and put up some money, which came up to $96. They put it in an envelope and send it to de old lady.

A few days later, another letter came from de same old lady to God. It read: “Dear God, How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your gift, I am able to get by till de next pension date.

“By de way, there was $4 missing. I think it must have been those bastards at the Post Office!”

Talk half and find out who de Vee Pee donating he $25,000 to.

and it will take many more billions to get the industry going.

The APNU+AFC did not consider the social costs of closing the estates, something that is basic to economics. In Economics 101, students learn that sometimes it is better to run an operation at a loss rather than close it since the devaluing of the assets would surpass the losses invoked.

There are also social costs, which have to be borne by the entire society, and when these costs are examined closely, it makes practical sense to have kept

the industry going rather than close four estates as the APNU+AFC did.

The Minister of Agriculture explained that the additional sums were needed to recapitalize the operating estates while the original sums, passed in the Budget, were to recapitalize the closed estates. Why is the PPP/C spending more to recapitalize the existing estates, when there is not likely to be any major increase in production resulting from this recapitalization?

The Opposition once again fell asleep here. It should have queried whether

any of the monies were being spent on operating expenses.

All Guyanese should be concerned about the size of this Supplementary provision.

Regardless of whether the monies could be found and are necessary, there remains serious questions about the Budgetpreparation process and whether there should not be an assessment of the preparation of the 2020 Emergency Budget.

(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

Tuesday December 29, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The Charandass incident: Where are the moral standards?

I

have known Charandass Persaud a long time now; over 30 years. He is a personal friend; so close we are that he confided in me about the no-confidence vote. I was in a vortex of rage when I saw PNC and AFC parliamentarians abusing Charran on his entry into Parliament when it was convened at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre last week.

You can hear clearly the rambunctious tones of PNC parliamentarian, Annette Ferguson, and AFC's Sherod Duncan as they berate Charran. Charran responds in tones so low that you think he was whispering in his seat during a movie in the

cinema. Why Charran felt it was unbecoming to get into Duncan's face and tell him that he should be investigated for his role as Chronicle manager.

I don't know what Charran was thinking. I spoke to him while typing this piece and I still don't think he should have been so subdued. Did he think it would have looked bad in the eyes of Guyana if he had exercised tit for tat with Duncan and Ferguson? Why would Charran care about how Guyanese would think of him? This nation has no standard by which it judges other people.

Charran should look and see how people in this

country behave and the next day, they are rewarded for their miserable display. The examples are literally countless.

The Deputy Vi c e Chancellor of the UG, Dr. Mellissa Ifill, didn't care what society would think of her when she wrote on her Facebook page that the international observers' stance on the election rigging was because they fell for the PPP's propaganda.

The very lady in a letter on me last week in this newspaper condemned my criticism of people like her by asserting that I am angling for earnings. She of course angled for her earnings because during the

election rigging, she was m a d e D e p u t y Vi c e Chancellor. I am still waiting for my earnings four months after the election rigging ended. Can someone please prove Dr. Ifill right and give me my earnings?

Do you think Mike McCormack of the Guyana Human Rights Association care what people say about him? He runs a totally moribund organization and brings it alive when there is publicity to be gained.

And he gets it from the Stabroek News. Do you think the Stabroek News could be bothered that it gives consistent coverage to an organization that doesn't deserve it?

Do you think Dr. Alissa Trotz care that for an entire year there was a masquerade going on with the noconfidence vote (NCV) and for five months there was a systematic attempt to rig the 2020 election yet as editor of the page, “In The Diaspora,” in the Stabroek News, she couldn't locate even one academic or commentator to write on the NCV or the rigging?

Do you think Professor Clive Thomas would be in mental distress over what Guyanese people think about his subordination to Guyana's

worst executive president, David Granger, and his abject silence on the election rigging?

All these so-called civil society groups – SASOD, Red Thread, women rights entities, trade unions, business organizations – could not be bothered with

Frederick Kissoon the reaction of the nation when they display their questionable nature for the world to see. Do you think the people with money, status and power in this country would ever be concerned with how Guyanese think about them.

Trust me, tomorrow those people will turn up to the diplomatic cocktail circuit and the champagne will flow, the embrace will be warm. Trust me, when these people turn up at the

supermarket, the manager comes up and yells to the attendant to see that 'Mr. This' or 'Mrs. That' is properly looked after. This is Guyana Charran, where you can find elephants quicker than you can see moral values (whatever that is).

Charran told me that PNC parliamentarian, Annette Ferguson, and Duncan were outside the washroom and as he emerged, both of them poured down a torrent of accusations using harsh tones. This is the type of politicians the PNC and the AFC gave us after 2015 with the promise of being better than the PPP in all departments of governance and political culture. It is obvious to a moron that they will never be in government again.

Charran told me he didn't want a tit for tat but that is how it should be in Guyana.

Sherod Duncan should be investigated. Let him come into my face and accost me for that statement. I would not retreat as Charran did.

And I would not be bothered in the least with what people say about my decibels.

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

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

$412M St. Rose’s High School...

D

etails from the recently laid Auditor General Report of 2019 shows that the Ministry of Education (MoE), under the APNU+AFC, had paid a consultancy firm $28M for the design of the foundation for the $412M St. Rose's High School, but later abandoned the design because it was “inadequate”.

The AG's report recalled that on July 31, 2017, the National Procurement and Tender Administration B o a r d ( N P TA B ) h a d awarded a consultancy contract for the design and supervision of the new St Rose's High School in the s u m o f US$134,790/G$28M. It was indicated that the letter of acceptance was issued to the contractor on August 30, 2017, where the duration of the service was from August 30, 2017 to July 30, 2018 for the design phase, and the supervision was to commence immediately upon the signing of the contract for the construction

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Education Ministry paid $28M for foundation design, then abandoned it - AG Report works.

Audit examination revealed that the consultant was responsible for all soil investigations and to design the foundation for the school, slated to cost taxpayers $412M. However, the report states, it was discovered that the ministry had paid another consultant to review and redesign the foundation, based on a decision that the original foundation was inadequate.

It is against this that the AG's report highlighted that “The ministry paid the first consultant for designing an inadequate foundation for the school building.”

Further examination of the project file had also revealed that the ministry had engaged two additional consultants to provide services for redesigning the foundation for the school.

“However, it was noted that the initial supervising consultant was required to conduct soil investigations and design a foundation for the building as part of his

An aerial view of the abandoned site of the St. Rose's High School contract. As such, it is unclear why the ministry engaged two other consultants to redesign the foundation, given the fact that they had accepted the foundation design in the first place and went ahead with tendering and awarding the

contract,” the report said.

The AG report also states that a second consultancy contract was awarded in the sum of $6.575M by NPTAB on the January 30, 2019 for an independent assessment to be conducted to determine whether a deep foundation

was required for the construction of the building.

It pointed out, however, that no details regarding the tendering and award of this consultancy contract was seen, and it is unclear what procurement procedures were utilised by the ministry

in awarding this second consultancy contract. “A third consultant was paid the sum of $432,000 for the calculation of loads of the building for redesigning the foundation,” it stated too.

Kaieteur News, in a series of articles, had exposed the controversy regarding the construction of the school, which was awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited some two years ago.

The contract was signed on August 8, 2018 with a duration of 18 months.

On August 17, 2019, the NPTAB had awarded an approval to increase the contract sum by $59.595M due to the scope of the contract being extended to include a change to the foundation design whereby a deeper foundation was required using timber piles.

As such, the contract sum increased from $352.710M to $412.304M, with the duration of the contract extended by 20 months, resulting in a revised (continued on page 15)

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Guyhoc man dies after Only light vehicles allowed on Tiger Creek Bridge being shot to the chest

A

man died on Sunday (December 27, 2020) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) while receiving treatment for a single gunshot wound he received on Boxing Day (December 26, 2020).

The dead man has been identified as Shawn Robinson, 28, of Guyhoc Park, Georgetown. He was shot to the chest around 18:36hrs near his home at Guyhoc Park Squatting Area.

Detectives have so far been unable to identify his shooter(s). In fact they have admitted that the circumstances surrounding the shooting are still unclear.

According to police, ranks received a call from an anonymous individual who informed them of a shooting in the Guyhoc area. They were also told that the victim, Robinson, had already been transported to the GPHC for medical attention.

This publication understands that Robinson was seen vomiting blood as he was being rushed for medical attention.

Officers were then sent to the hospital to verify the reports which turned out to be true.

They inquired of doctors if Robinson was in a stable condition to speak with police.

Doctors reportedly told the lawmen that his condition was critical and that they were performing an emergency operation to extract the bullet. The cops left to return but Robinson passed away the following day.

Kaieteur News has since received reports that Robinson was shot during an argument.

Dead: Shawn Robinson There are reports that he was in the company of one of his friends at the time of the shooting. It is believed that the friend was in fact the anonymous caller who alerted police of the incident and took Robinson to the hospital.

Robinson's mother, Beverly Bowen, who currently resides in Berbice, told this newspaper that she too is clueless about the circumstances that led to her son's demise.

She said that the young man was living by himself in Guyhoc for some time now and would often lime with friends there. Bowen last spoke to her son on Christmas night. She said he wished her Merry Christmas and told her that everything was okay.

File photo: Repairs at the Tiger Creek Bridge, Region Eight

T

he Ministry of Public Works in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) yesterday advised that there is a weight restriction on the Tiger Creek Bridge in Region Eight.

Emergency works are being done to place the bridge into operations by this weekend.

Allowed to cross now will be motorcycles; cars and vans; Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs); four- wheel-drive vehicles; small buses, trucks and Canters (unladen); light trailers (pig trailers, dog trailers and small semi-

trailers) and single and tandem trucks (Gross Weight not exceeding 14 tonnes).

According to the ministry, the following vehicles will be allowed to cross under supervision (no exception will be made for those exceeding the gross weight restriction): large buses, single and tandem trucks and trucks and large trailers.

Meanwhile, the ministry also disclosed that in accordance with the Motor Ve h i c l e a n d T r a f f i c Regulation, single axle loads are restricted to three metric tonnes (6,614 lbs); tandem axle to four and half metric

tonnes (9,921 lbs) while the weight limit for all vehicles are 14 tonnes (30,864 lbs).

The ministry warned, “Any vehicle not in compliance with the regulations will be required to utilize the bridge bypass.

The Ministry sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused and we continue to urge commuters to exercise caution and to observe all the safety signs and directions when approaching and crossing the bridge.�

The bridge collapsed a few months ago under the weight of a loaded truck; however, repairs have been delayed by heavy rains.

Drunken salesman responsible for LBI accident

A

47-year-old salesman, who was driving under the influence of alcohol, has been identified as the driver responsible for the accident at La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Boxing Day. The driver, Seandell Shannon, of Hope Estate, ECD, according to reports, caused the accident to occur at around 21:51hrs at the Choke Rubis Gas Station.

Based on information received, motor car PSS 3512 driven by Shannon was proceeding east at a fast rate along the southern lane on the northern carriageway of the public road. The car reportedly lost control and veered off the left side of the road and collided with the right side of motorcar PGG 7332 owned by Chanol Shivrattan which was parked on the northern parapet of the road. The motorcar then hit a 40-year-old man (name and address unknown) who was sitting on the same parapet. The man reportedly toppled as a result.

Reports are that both vehicles were damaged and the man was picked up in a conscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Cooperation where he was seen and examined by a doctor. He was admitted for observation where his condition

The scene of the accident is listed as stable. Speaking with this publication, an eyewitness related that the man on the pave was seen eating his food when the car came crashing into him. The source disclosed that a male was seen driving the car with a female occupant seated in its front passenger seat.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver and a reading of .98 percent was recorded which exceeds the legal limit. The driver is currently in police custody assisting with an investigation.

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Come home and invest - President Ali urges Guyanese in Canada

P

resident Irfaan Ali h a s u r g e d Guyanese living in Canada to return home to invest as he signalled his Government's commitment to ensuring an enabling environment for economic prosperity.

The Head of State made this appeal virtually on Sunday during the feature address at the Guyanese Republic Jubilee Awards Ceremony and Presentation organised by the Guyana Consulate in Canada.

“I want to say to the diaspora, stop doubting yourselves. Many of you call me directly and say I want to come and do this but what if…, what if what? Do not doubt yourselves. In investment there is an element of risk, in business there is an element of risk. In moving from one state to another there is an element of risk, in moving from one country to another there is an element of risk,” President Ali explained, in a statement from his office.

He accepted that there are areas in which the Government needs to improve in order to create a conducive atmosphere for growth and development.

“We acknowledge the areas in which we have to improve to make you comfortable in an environment you are accustomed to, speed at which you get service; quality of service. We are not hiding from these things.

These are things we have to fix and we are fixing.”

The President further encouraged the overseasbased Guyanese to be bold and pioneering in their endeavours and promised that they will be welcomed.

“We are in this together. We want you to come. We are waiting on your arrival. We know you are committed, we know you have love for country, take the bold step.”

ECONOMIC MODERNISATION AND INFRASTRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION Meanwhile, the Head of State also spoke about his Government's economic modernisation and i n f r a s t r u c t u r e transformation plans.

“Our Republic is on an upward trajectory. We are constructing a more modern, diversified and resilient economy,” he said, adding that although Guyana is now an oil-producing state, the country is still looking to diversify.

“The traditional sectors – rice, sugar, forestry, bauxite and gold mining are important to wealth creation, employment generation and income distribution.”

In this regard, the President noted that his Government intends to modernise and grow the aforementioned sectors and is especially committed to reviving the sugar industry in a “smarter manner” by

moving production up the value-chain and by diversifying the industry.

A modern economy, President Ali said, which is capable of rebounding from internal and external shocks requires transformative infrastructure.

He pointed to the developmental plans in place, including: the completion of the East Coast Demerara Highway; the resurfacing of the East Coast Railway Embankment from Sheriff Street to Enmore; the remodelling of the Linden to Lethem Highway and work on the Linden to Mabura Hill section. The President also pointed to the construction of a road link between Ogle and Diamond, the development of a four-lane highway between Georgetown and Timehri, a road link between Parika and Rockstone and a new highspan bridge across the Demerara River, which he estimates will be completed before the end of 2024.

“We are working with the Republic of Suriname to bridge the Corentyne River and to create a corridor which will link French Guiana and Suriname to the East of Guyana and thence southwards to Brazil and other continental states.”

The Head of State added that a deep water habour, a new international airport at Lethem, industrial parks and free-trade zones will integrate Guyana's economy with more powerful markets

Ed. Ministry paid $28M for...

From page 12 completion date of August 23, 2021.

Physical verification carried out in early September

by Kaieteur News had revealed that no works were in progress on site, save and except for the completion of the driving of 224 timber piles for the foundation.

It was noted that Courtney Benn Contracting was paid a second advance payment of $28.963M on January 10, 2020, having already received an initial advance payment of $52.906M. But against this point, the report states, “At this time no significant works had commenced on site and as such, the first advance payment made would not have been expended. An analysis of the payments

made to the contractor revealed that having received the first advance payment of $52.906M, the contractor was further paid the sums of $5.186M and $1.379M under valuations two and three respectively, followed by several small payments for security charges.

Therefore, it is unclear what this first advance payment was used for.”

Even against these concerning details, the Education Ministry went ahead and had paid the contractor a second advance.

“No evidence was seen whereby the contractor used the advance payments exclusively to pay for plant, machinery, and equipment, materials and other expenses required directly for the

execution of the contract, as required under clause 34.2 of the General Conditions of contract.

This clause also stated, “The contractor shall demonstrate that Advance Payment has been used for the purposes of execution of the Contract by supplying copies of invoices or other documents,” the report states.

It was further noted that both advance payment bonds expired since March 2020 and none of the advance payments were recovered.

Shortly after the pile driving exercise, Courtney Benn Contracting had abandoned the work site, following which the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government terminated its contract.

and convert the country into a major economic hub in the Western Hemisphere.

Additionally, a mix of energy projects including solar, wind and natural gas will also help to ensure energy security and reduce the cost of energy by 50 percent, which is expected to stimulate and boost the competitiveness of Guyana's manufacturing sector.

President Ali also explained that included in the “transformation and transportation restructuring” is an upgrade of the maritime transit, which will see investments in new boats and ferries to the Northwest, and along the Essequibo and Berbice rivers.

Air Transport is also essential to the transportation plan.

The President noted that his Government has “renegotiated and we were able to get back two additional bridges for our airport, more commercial space, and have the contractor agree to complete

President Irfaan Ali a full rehabilitation of the front of the airport, all at no cost to the government”.

He said that the government has launched an aggressive marketing campaign to encourage airlifts to Guyana, with the aim of presenting the country as an air transport hub for South America.

“We have got tremendous traction.

Unfortunately with all the work we have been doing we have not been able to break into the Canadian market, but I assure you, I am

confident that within the very near future we will have very good news for the Canadian market and Canadians in terms of air transport for Guyana.”

QUALITY OF LIFE AND SOCIAL SERVICES President Ali used the opportunity to remind the diaspora of the planned housing programme that is aimed at providing 50,000 house lots within the next five years, with more than (continued on page 17)

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Surge in COVID-19 cases in January could - Emergency Medicine be disastrous for health sector Specialist warns The Christmas season is often described as a time of merriment during which persons opt to unburden themselves of the challenges of the months gone by and instead relish carefree engagements.

But this Christmas sea-

son, as far as possible, it will be wise to not let your guard down, well at least not entirely, when it comes to COVID-19.

This is the warning coming from Emergency Medicine Specialist, Dr. Zulfikar Bux, who is hoping that persons

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will continue to take precautionary measures even as diligent efforts are being made by the health sector to help keep the COVID-19 numbers at a minimum.

This, however, cannot be a reality, Dr. Bux noted, if many persons are refusing to adhere to simple safety measures. In fact some have even breathed a sigh of relief with the arrival of a vaccine on the horizon.

“As the developed world begins vaccination against the COVID-19 infection, many are beginning to celebrate and relax thinking that the end to the pandemic is near. This is far from reality as the pandemic will not end until there is about 70 to 80 percent vaccination worldwide. In Guyana, we have relaxed too much, especially in the month of December, where crowds are gathering to celebrate for the holidays. It worries me when I see this as I am on the frontlines and my experience there scares me as we approach the month of January,” Dr. Bux wrote in a recent column in this newspaper.

Reflecting on what happens in January from a medical practitioner's standpoint,

Dr. Bux revealed that during this month, “we tend to see a rise in numbers and severity of sick patients presenting for care. We are normally pushed to the brink with the amount of sick persons that we have to attend to after the holidays.

The lavish eating and drinking that comes with the holidays, exacerbates underlying medical conditions and lead to many medical emergencies.”

To compound this, he said, there are many hospitalized patients from alcohol related illnesses and injuries that spill over into January and occupy bed spaces. Some persons with chronic diseases, he added, may either neglect their condition or their relatives neglect them during the holidays. The consequent, Dr. Bux explained, is that they eventually present in larger numbers in January from complications that arise with neglecting their health.

“As a result of these factors and others, hospitals are stretched to the limit whenever the month of January comes around,” said a concerned Dr. Bux. Turning his attention to “massive gatherings” that

Dr. Zulfikar Bux, Emergency Medicine Specialist have already been held for this month, Dr. Bux reminded that it has been ascertained that the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, thrives in gatherings and “if we are not careful, there is bound to be a surge in COVID-19 cases after the holidays.”

“Whether it may be from shopping, gift sharing, end of year luncheons or the end of year parties, many are taking the chance to have a 'release' as the year comes to an end,”

said Dr. Bux as he worried that “a surge in cases will collide with all the other cases of sick patients that usually present for care in January.”

Already there have occasions when the public health sector, which has been dealing with the brunt of COVID19 cases, has been overwhelmed with patients. Considering whether the health sector could cope with a further onslaught of cases,” Dr. Bux confessed, “I wish I knew this answer so that I would not have to worry about what will happen in January. The combination of a surge in sick patients with a surge in COVID19 cases in January can only be disastrous for the health system.”

Expounding, he noted that if the system is overwhelmed, then patients will not receive optimal care as they will not be able to access usual medical services in an efficient and effective manner.

This is in light of the fact, he explained, that the number of health workers and the available space to take care of patients is finite and will not be sufficient if there is a surge in both COVID-19 and non COVID-19 cases in January.

“My biggest fear is the scenario where care cannot be provided to patients because we ran out of space or there aren't enough health workers.

This is happening in the first world currently and we are not immune to this possibility. Can you imagine having COVID-19 and you cannot breathe and not being able to access oxygen because all the available oxygen ports are being used by other patients? This is the stark reality of the effects of the pandemic in some countries,” Dr. Bux underscored.

Moreover, the Emergency Medicine Specialist added, “What we do and how we behave in the next couple of weeks will determine if we break our health system in January 2021. We are in the middle of a pandemic and we cannot expect to be normal and celebrate the holidays like we usually do in other years.”

His advice is to “avoid gatherings, defer luncheons, shop online or do your shopping in spaces that are not crowded. If you are in a surrounding where you cannot be six feet apart from others, leave.”

According to Dr. Bux too, it is advisable that persons adapt a “no gathering” or “responsible celebration” attitude for the holidays and encourage others to do the same.

“If we are successful at this, then January 2021 will be easier for us all and the sick will be able to access the care that they desperately need,” Dr. Bux assured.

Tuesday December 29, 2020

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

11.5 tonnes Belgium cocaine bust…

Bartica arson/murder…

Probe pinpoints those responsible for deleting GRA scanner images - Minister Benn

Police advised to charge suspect

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, revealed yesterday that investigations have pinpointed the person responsible for deleting scanner images relating to a container of scrap metal which left Guyana in late September for Belgium and was found there with 11.5 tonnes of cocaine.

Minister Benn gave the comments during a media interview on the sidelines of an event at the Lusignan Prison yesterday.

He revealed that it is known for sure who deleted the images and the time they did it.

“They are the subject of further investigation both at the GRA and the CANU,” he said. The comments comes weeks after the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) reported that three customs officers attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) were taken into custody.

Their arrest followed a discovery that the scanned images of the containers taken at the Georgetown port were deleted. Kaieteur News was made to understand that four containers left Guyana on September 25 shipped by Marlon Primo’s MA Trading, of Atlantic Ville, East Coast Demerara, to the consignee, Lotraco Recycling BV, The Netherlands.

But sources claimed that only three of

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn. those containers were scanned and the images were later deleted. Under regulations, containers considered to be high risk leaving Guyana have to be scanned at the facility on Lombard Street, Georgetown as part of the country’s protocols for exports. It would have been impossible for the container to have escaped GRA’s system of being scanned.

GRA has since been attempting to retrieve the images.

Surge in COVID-19 cases in January could be disastrous for health sector - Emergency Medicine Specialist warns The Christmas season is often described as a time of merriment during which persons opt to unburden themselves of the challenges of the months gone by and instead relish carefree engagements.

But this Christmas season, as far as possible, it will be wise to not let your guard down, well at least not entirely, when it comes to COVID-19. This is the warning coming from Emergency Medicine Specialist, Dr. Zulfikar Bux, who is hoping that persons will continue to take precautionary measures even as diligent efforts are being made by the health sector to help keep the COVID-19 numbers at a minimum.

This, however, cannot be a reality, Dr. Bux noted, if many persons are refusing to adhere to simple safety measures. In fact some have even breathed a sigh of relief with the arrival of a vaccine on the horizon.

“As the developed world begins vaccination against the COVID-19 infection, many are beginning to celebrate and relax thinking that the end to the pandemic is near. This is far from reality as the pandemic will not end until there is about 70 to 80 percent vaccination worldwide. In Guyana, we have relaxed too much, especially in the month of December, where crowds are

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), ShalimarAliHack, S.C., has advised the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to lay charges against the man accused of burning his reputed wife and two daughters to death on Saturday, December 12, last.

The victims of the tragic incident were identified as, Carolina Kennedy, 48, a housewife and the two daughters – five-year-old Mariana and three-year-old Gabriella Kennedy, whom she shared with the suspect.

According to Regional Commander, Dion Moore, during a telephone interview, the DPP has advised them to charge the suspect, Kenford Downer, for the murder of Kennedy and her two daughters. The commander also stated that the suspect is expected to be discharged from the Bartica Regional Hospital within a week. Kaieteur News understands that the suspect is still hospitalized, due to injuries he sustained on the day of the incident, after he allegedly set the

house on fire, killing his reputed wife and daughters.

According to police, the incident happened at Four Miles Squatting Area, Potaro Road, Bartica. Police revealed too, that around 21:30 hrs. an unknown caller telephoned the Bartica Police Station to report the fire.

However, the fire truck was unable to reach the location and a bucket brigade was formed.

When police and fire service ranks arrived, the wooden structure was completely engulfed in flames. After the fire was extinguished, the ranks discovered the charred remains of Kennedy and her two daughters in the southeastern corner of the house.

The bodies of the victims were subsequently removed, and transported to the Bartica Hospital Mortuary.

A search was launched for the suspect and he was discovered in some bushes in close proximity to the house.

While he was being placed in the back of a police vehicle, the

suspect admitted to the gruesome crime.

Based on a video seen by this publication, the suspect could be heard saying, “It overbearing, I can’t bear it no more, I can’t bear it no more buddy…you know wuh is it to come home and meet your woman talking to another man and she brother deh right there?”

Kaieteur News had reported that Kennedy and the suspect had been living together for the past six months, and during that period, the woman had made several complaints to her mother about the suspect threatening her when he was intoxicated.

One week before the incident, the suspect had allegedly threatened to burn the house down to kill Kennedy and her daughters. The woman was encouraged to report the matter to the police and she had planned to visit the station on Monday December 14, 2020, but she was killed one day before that. The suspect was also convicted in 2018, for assaulting Kennedy.

...Cuban national accused of

Dr. Zulfikar Bux, Emergency Medicine Specialist. gathering to celebrate for the holidays. It worries me when I see this as I am on the frontlines and my experience there scares me as we approach the month of January,” Dr. Bux wrote in a recent column in this newspaper.

Reflecting on what happens in January from a medical practitioner’s standpoint, Dr. Bux revealed that during this month, “we tend to see a rise in numbers and severity of sick patients presenting for care. We are normally pushed to the brink with the amount of sick persons that we have to attend to after the holidays.

The lavish eating and drinking that comes with the holidays, exacerbates underlying medical conditions and lead to many medical emergencies.”

To compound this, he said, there are many hospitalized patients from alcohol related illnesses and injuries that spill over into January and occupy bed spaces. Some persons with chronic diseases, he added, may either neglect their condition or their relatives neglect them during the holidays. The consequent, Dr. Bux explained, is that they eventually present in larger (Continued on page 18)

From page 5 argument, which turned physical around 17:30 hrs. on Christmas Day. He claimed that he ignored the couple and went to bed since it was a norm for them to fight. The following day when he awoke, he did not check on his daughter because he taught that she might have left for work and took her daughter with her.

However, about an hour later he realized that he was locked inside the house. He reportedly became alarmed and

decided to check his daughter’s room where he made the gruesome discovery.

Police were summoned to the scene and crime scene experts found a blood stained hammer and knife, which they believe, were used to kill Krishnaran and her daughter.

Her body was found lying on her bed with a wound to the back of her head, another to the temple and one to her left side face.

Singh’s daughter was found lying on the floor in the same

room. She had a wound to her neck and blood was seen on her vagina.

The Cuban community in Guyana has since condemned the heinous act.

They posted and commented on a Facebook page called Cubanos en Guyana, that if Barrientos is found guilty, he must face the full brunt of the law. They added that such a crime by one of their fellow nationals could seriously affect other Cuban migrants living in Guyana.

...Come home and invest From page 15 3,000 already being distributed in the past week. There are plans in the pipeline to also improve the delivery of education by increasing its access and expanding information technology initiatives. “We are creating a 21st century education system. The One Laptop Per Family Initiative will be reintroduced in the coming year.

We are providing 20,000 scholarships. We hope to provide free education at the University of Guyana by the

end of 2024. In our Emergency Budget for 2020, we made provisions for doubling the uniform allowance and increasing, by 50%, the cash grant per student from $10,000 to $15,000. We are committed to increasing this by almost 300 percent in the coming years.”

Additionally, he reminded his audience of Government's plans to advance the country's health system with a strong focus on primary healthcare and intensified support to the vulnerable including the elderly, children,

women and persons with disabilities.

“Guyana will roar again.

Our Republic will become stronger and more resilient. I want to thank all of you for your interest in developments back home. I want to encourage you to play your part in the transformative process which is taking place. Guyana needs all hands on deck, including the members of the Diaspora who possess the skills and the resources which are needed to fulfill our ambitions over the next 10 years.”

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 29, 2020

...Surge in COVID-19 cases in January From page 17 numbers in January from complications that arise with neglecting their health.

“As a result of these factors and others, hospitals are stretched to the limit whenever the month of January comes around,” said a concerned Dr. Bux. Turning his attention to “massive gatherings” that have already been held for this month, Dr. Bux reminded that it has been ascertained that the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, thrives in gatherings and “if we are not careful, there is bound to be a surge in COVID-19 cases after the holidays.”

“Whether it may be from shopping, gift sharing, end of year luncheons or the end of year parties, many are taking the chance to have a ‘release’ as the year comes to an end,” said Dr. Bux as he worried that “a surge in cases will collide with all the other cases of sick patients that usually present for care in January.”

Already there have occasions when the public health sector, which has been dealing with the brunt of COVID-19 cases, has been overwhelmed with patients.

Considering whether the health sector could cope with

a further onslaught of cases,” Dr. Bux confessed, “I wish I knew this answer so that I would not have to worry about what will happen in January. The combination of a surge in sick patients with a surge in COVID-19 cases in January can only be disastrous for the health system.”

Expounding, he noted that if the system is overwhelmed, then patients will not receive optimal care as they will not be able to access usual medical services in an efficient and effective manner.

This is in light of the fact, he explained, that the number of health workers and the available space to take care of patients is finite and will not be sufficient if there is a surge in both COVID-19 and non COVID-19 cases in January.

“My biggest fear is the scenario where care cannot be provided to patients because we ran out of space or there aren’t enough health workers.

This is happening in the first world currently and we are not immune to this possibility. Can you imagine having COVID-19 and you cannot breathe and not being

able to access oxygen because all the available oxygen ports are being used by other patients? This is the stark reality of the effects of the pandemic in some countries,” Dr. Bux underscored.

Moreover, the Emergency Medicine Specialist added, “What we do and how we behave in the next couple of weeks will determine if we break our health system in January 2021.

We are in the middle of a pandemic and we cannot expect to be normal and celebrate the holidays like we usually do in other years.”

His advice is to “avoid gatherings, defer luncheons, shop online or do your shopping in spaces that are not crowded. If you are in a surrounding where you cannot be six feet apart from others, leave.”

According to Dr. Bux too, it is advisable that persons adapt a “no gathering” or “responsible celebration” attitude for the holidays and encourage others to do the same. “If we are successful at this, then January 2021 will be easier for us all and the sick will be able to access the care that they desperately need,” Dr. Bux assured.

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Tuesday December 29, 2020

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Everton v Man City postponed due to new coronavirus cases

Everton’s clash with Manchester City at Goodison Park has been postponed after a number of new positive coronavirus cases.

Tuesday December 29, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You are very interested in all kinds of professions that concern humans - medicine, psychology, or any kind of spiritual therapy.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may surprise the people around you over the next few days. You're a responsible person and others can count on you. But just like anybody else, you're sensitive to your desires.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may have to stand by certain difficult, worrisome decisions today, Gemini.

You may feel a kind of urgent need for stability in your personal life. What is really behind this feeling?

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Do you help the world evolve, Cancer? You may ask yourself this kind of delicate question today.

Even if you're a person of action who knows how to react to situations.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may tend to be overprotective of the people closest to you, especially children. You may feel you live in a dangerous world in which people don't care about responsibility to one another.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You probably need society's or other people's approval in order to feel good about yourself. But your original personality and way of thinking are often hard for others to accept.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The events of the day depend on your ability to put things into question today, Libra. In general, you're good at analyzing situations when things aren't going well in your relationships.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The planetary aspects are going to have a big impact on you today, Scorpio. This isn't the time to fear the future. Rather, it's a time to make it happen.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) People are more alike than we think, especially on days like today that mean virtually the same thing to everyone. Some incredible changes have taken place in the world and its economic and social systems.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today is an inspirational day for you, fast thinking Capricorn. Let those visions come to you, process them, and try to verbalize them.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You're usually good at bringing people together.

Your greatest strength is giving identity to those people who seek it.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Some of you still let individuals from other Zodiac signs do all the creating for you. The planetary configuration today pushes you to free yourself from the ties that bind you. It's time for you to show more creativity. Show the gems that you usually hide.

SportsMax - Everton’s clash with Manchester City at Goodison Park has been postponed after a number of new positive coronavirus cases among the visitors’ squad.

City revealed on Christmas Day that Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker and another two members of staff had tested positive for COVID-19.

Pep Guardiola’s team nevertheless fulfilled their Boxing Day fixture against Newcastle United, winning 20 thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Ferran Torres.

The four-time Premier League champions were set to face in-form Everton on Monday, less than 48 hours after both team’s had played previously, but the match has now been called off following the latest round of testing.

City’s training ground will be closed as a consequence to the outbreak, with the squad having to undergo further tests before they can return to the facility.

In a statement released on their official website, City said: “After the latest round of COVID-19 testing, the club returned a number of positive cases, in addition to the four already reported on Christmas Day. “With the security of the bubble compromised, there posed a risk that the virus could spread further amongst the squad, the staff and potentially beyond.

“Based on strong medical advice the Premier League, in consultation with both clubs, have decided to postpone the fixture.

“All positive cases involving players and staff will observe a period of selfisolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine.

“The first team training

ground at City Football Academy will close for an indeterminate period, with the squad and associated bubble undergoing testing before any decision is made for training to resume.

“Everyone at the club wishes all of our colleagues a speedy recovery ahead of their return to work, training and competition.”

Monday’s match is the second Premier League fixture to be postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak during the 2020-21 season, with Newcastle United’s game against Aston Villa delayed.

A new date for that fixture is yet to be announced.

If City’s players are unable to return to training in the coming days, it would cast doubt over their Premier League meeting with Chelsea on January 3, the EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester United three days later and also the FA Cup tie with Birmingham City, which is due to take place on January 10.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Future of women’s football in Africa on show as new generation emerges in COSAFA

F

IFA - The development of women’s football in Africa took an important step last month as a new generation of players, coaches and administrators took to the field and the classroom to hone their skills in a series of competitions and workshops organised by Council of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA).

With football in many countries around the world postponed as a result of the pandemic, the activities – which were supported by women’s football development funding from FIFA - represented the restart o f o rg a n i s e d f o o t b a l l activities for many female players and officials in the C O S A FA r e g i o n a n d provided an important step in the development of young players, coaches and a new generation of female football

leaders in Africa.

In a boost to many young female players, the COSAFA Under-15 girls’ schools tournament provided 12 teams from across 8 local football associations within an 80km radius of Port Elizabeth with the chance to return to the field, which saw Motherwell Football Association emerge as winners of the two-day tournament after a 1-0 victory in the final against Despatch Football Association.

Taking place around the COSAFA senior and under17 women’s championships - which were supported by FIFA Forward, female coaches and administrators from southern Africa also took part in a series of workshops and courses around the tournaments with a 5-day administration course involving around 30

Participants and Facilitators of the Administration Course. participants from local associations from the Eastern Cape Province.

In addition, over 30 female grassroots coaches from 8 Regions in the Eastern Cape Province also took part in an 8-day DLicense Course, ensuring that a wider legacy will be witnessed across southern Africa following the

successful return of youth and senior level women’s football in the region.

Speaking of the activities, Sue Destombes, General Secretary – COSAFA said: “COSAFA’s philosophy is not just about playing the game on the pitch – it’s about developing women across all spheres.

Our administration course is

specifically for female administrators in sport.”

Timothy Shogwe, Chair – COSAFA Competitions Committee added: “FIFA has come up with a lot of courses that have assisted administrators, coaches and referees for the development of the game and we are grateful for that.”

The support of the

tournaments and courses is part of the ongoing commitment by FIFA and COSAFA to continuing the development of women’s football competitions and f u r t h e r i n g t h e professionalisation of the women’s game in member associations across southern Africa and around the world.

Du Plessis makes 199 as S Africa take command against Sri Lanka PRETORIA (Reuters) Faf du Plessis made a careerbest 199 as South Africa prospered in the first test against injury-hit Sri Lanka with a massive first-innings score of 621 and a lead of 160 on day three yesterday.

Sri Lanka closed on 65 for two in their second innings with Kusal Mendis (33 not out) and Dinesh Chandimal (21 not out) at the

crease, but are effectively five wickets down with team officials revealing that injured Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara and and Dhananjaya de Silva will not bat.

There is also concern for Chandimal, who needed treatment on his thigh and looked in some discomfort.

Home seamer Lungi Ngidi (2-28) picked up both

wickets to fall, bowling captain Dimuth Karunaratne (6) with a delivery that kept low, before Kusal Mendis (0) edged to slip.

Du Plessis fell short of a major milestone with a poor selection of shot as he attempted to lift leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (4-171) over mid-on, but instead offered a simple catch to Karunaratne.

He faced 276 balls and hit 24 fours, a masterful display of batting on a wicket that was not easy for batsmen with pace and variable bounce.

Sri Lanka had toiled in the field as injuries severely hampered their bowling attack, with seamer Rajitha managing only 2.1 overs, fellow quick Kumara forced off early and Hasaranga limping along after a sliding save on the boundary.

They had started the innings without spinner De Silva, who suffered a thigh injury while batting and has been ruled out for two weeks. South Africa had resumed on 317 for four, with Du Plessis and Temba Bavuma (71) sharing a record fifth-wicket stand for the team against Sri Lanka of 179. It was broken in bizarre circumstances when Bavuma walked from the field following an appeal for caught behind. He was not given out by the umpire, and replays suggested he had missed the ball by a good inch.

South Africa have added fit-again fast bowler Kagiso Rabada to their squad for the second and final test starting in Johannesburg on Jan. 3.

Scores: Sri Lanka 396 and 65 for 2 (Perera 33*, Ngidi 2-28) trail South Africa 621 (du Plessis 199, Maharaj, 73, Bavuma 71) by 160 runs.

Faf du Plessis walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal for 199 runs, South Africa v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, 3rd day, Centurion, December 28, 2020 © AFP via Getty Images

Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 29, 2020

PAGE 23

GFF/K&S/MCYS Bounce Back Football

All systems a go for today’s kick off; Ground Structure Engineering Consultants & Trophy Stall on board

The Providence National Stadium; venue for the GFF, K&S, MCY&S Bounce Back tournament.

The individual and collective experience of the players involved in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport (MCYS), Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) two-nights Bounce Back football tournament would be brought to bear when action kicks off tonight at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Afforded the opportunity to get things cracking are the All Star teams from Linden and the East Coast at 17:00hrs with the main shindig from 20:00hrs bringing together the City and West Demerara. The respective winners will collide in the final on Friday, New Year’s Night.

Organised to counter and bounce back from the challenges brought on by the covid-19 pandemic which has severely dented the playing of sports the world over, these matches would surely test the resolve of the players as well as the Technical staff.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e Coaching staff of the Senior Men’s National Team would be watching keenly as they too have their work cut out in preparing the ‘Golden Jaguars’ for what is

anticipated to be a hectic 2021 with qualification for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ (in March) and Concacaf 2021 Gold Cup Prelims (set for June 2021) on the cards.

All the players have been subjected to covid-19 tests as the organisers have been keen to ensure that everyone is safe. The National covid19 Task Force has been integrally involved in the process of planning and their guidelines are being observed every step of the way. Preparations for each of the teams have been h a m p e r e d a n d understandably so but the word is that the players and technical staff are all looking forward to bounce back in style and are eager to be competitive once again after months of inactivity.

C o a c h o f t h e Georgetown All Star team, Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover informed that they would be a competitive unity despite just having a few sessions to work together.

“The Georgetown All Star Team has done two training sessions over the weekend and will conclude our preparations this afternoon (yesterday) with our final pre game session.

The players have done well and they are prepared to showcase their talent to impress the senior National Team coaching staff who I’m sure will be in attendance to witness the games.

All the participating teams have an equal opportunity to win this mini tournament given the fact all the players are at the same level physically. I’m very proud to be a part of this initiative to help with a process that will lead to the preparation of the World Cup and Gold Cup squads for next year.”

Meanwhile, corporate support for the tournament has been garnered from the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market which has donated trophies for the winning team as well as the Most Valuable Player.

Manager Mr. Ramesh Sunich, a long time supporter of the sport, said that he is excited to be part of this tournament.

And, Mr. Charles Ceres, Managing Director of Ground Structures Engineering Consultants Inc. (GSEC) also chipped in with support; he handed over a cheque to Co-Director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, Mr. Aubrey

GSEC Managing Director Mr. Charles Ceres (left) hands over cheque to K&S Co-Director, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major.

Major noting that he too is pleased to be on board with this initiative.

Following is the shortlist of players for the respective teams.

West Side All Stars: Ronaldo Blair (East Bank), Shane Morrison, Sherwin Bernard, Marcus Wilson (Georgetown), Kevin Dundas , Rondel Hutson, Kwasi Henry, Sebastien Edwards, Deron Harvey, Joseph DeFreitas, Trayon Bobb, Trevon Pluck (East Bank), Darren Niles (Georgetown), Stephen Jupiter, Jamal Pereira, Leo Lovell, Tyrell Khan (East Bank), Tyrone Khan (East Bank), Sheldon Holder (East Bank), Taleten Adolph, Sherwin Caesar, Quessey Alleyne.

Manager - Orin Ferrier, Head Coach - Oneal Heywood, Assistant Coach - Devnon Winter, Goalkeeper Coach - Travis Bess, Medical - Denzil Hernandez.

East Coast All Stars: Inceford Charles, Kevin Williams, Obessie Johnson, Omari Glasgow, Delwin Fraser, Rondell Bowman, Shemar McPherson, Clevon Barnwell, Andre Williams, Karlos Cole, Samuel Vandyke, Kerwin Maxwell, Sherwin Skeete, Nickosie Denny, Jamar Harrigan, Dwain Jacobs, William Europe, Shawn Adonis, K e v o n B a r r y, Q u i n c y Adams, William Europe.

Manager - Quacy Johnson, Head Coach Winston Pompey.

Linden All Stars: Abumuchi Benjamin (Georgetown), Sese Norville (East Bank), Curtez Kellman (Georgetown), Pernel Schultz (Georgetown), Colin N e l s o n ( G e o rg e t o w n ) , Shemar Fraser (East Coast), Eric Moore, Kelon Major, Omar Brewley, Omarie Gordon, Romain Adams, Deshawn Joseph, Shane Lucky, Clive Hudson, Kendall Lewis, Kevin

Charles, Denzil Fordyce, Andre M a y e r s , R a j a n Ramdeholl, Delon McAllister.

Manager - Seon Barratt, Head Coach - Charles Pollard, Assistant Coach Troy Nelson, Goalkeeper Coach - Eon Deveira, Equipment Manager Quacy Paddy.

City Stars: Alex Murray, Joel Yap, Rafael Edwards, Jeremy Garrett, Lionel Holder, Trevon Lythcott, Joshua Campbell, Lazon Lord, Daniel Wilson, Job Caesar, Ryan Hackett, Kelsey Benjamin, Kimba Braithwaite, Orin Yarde, Dorwin G e o rg e , S t e f a n Reynolds, DaCosta Aboagye, Nicholas McArthur, Delon Lanferman.

Manager - Frank Parris, Head Coach - Wayne Dover, Assistant Coach Anthony Benfield, Goalkeeper Coach - Calvin Allen, Medical - Denzil Hernandez.

Big-hitting Windies stars Gayle, Pollard named in ICC T20I Team of the Decade

Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard were both named as part of the ICC T20 Team of the Decade.

SportsMax - Big-hitting West Indies stars Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard were both named as part of the ICC T20 Team of the Decade.

While the majority of his exploits in the game’s shortest format have occurred in the league format, Gayle has also made his presence felt on the international stage. The towering left-hander played a crucial role in the West Indies winning two T20 world titles, first in 2012 and then again in 2014.

In addition, Gayle is fifth on the all-time list for the most T20I sixes with 105 registered so far. India’s Rohit Sharma is at the top of the pile with 127. The player is

fourth on the list of highest scores with 117 off 57 balls and is one of only nine players to score more than one century in T20I cricket.

Pollard, the West Indies T20 captain, was part of the successful World Cup-winning team in 2012. He has scored a total of 1226 runs and has blasted 78 sixes with a highest score of 75 unbeaten. Gayle and Pollard were the only West Indian men named to an ICC team of the decade ICC T20 team of the decade: Rohit Sharma, Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, MS Dhoni (c), Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, and Lasith Malinga.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Tuesday December 29, 2020

India in strong position to level test series vs Australia

M

ELBOURNE, Australia ( A P ) — Australia faces a big challenge to avoid defeat in the second cricket test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after the home side suffered another batting

collapse on yesterday’s third day of play.

India’s performance represents a stunning reversal of form, following an embarrassing eightwicket loss in Adelaide in the first test of the four-match series.

Leading by just two runs

overall, Australia will resume its second innings today on 133-6. Cameron Green (17 not out) and Pat Cummins (15 not out) have added 34 off 112 balls for the seventh wicket and hanging on grimly.

Second-gamer Green hit a back-foot drive through

Indian players walk from the field at the close of play on day three of the second cricket test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) mid-off for a boundary in the final over of the day to put Australia in front, as the crowd of 24,995 found a rare reason to cheer.

Trailing by 131 runs on the first innings after India scored 326, Australia lost the wickets of Joe Burns (4) and Marnus Labuschagne (28) before tea yesterday.

A nervous-looking Burns, who has scored 0 and 4 in Melbourne, was caught behind off the bowling of Umesh Yadav.

Yadav limped off with a calf-muscle injury midway through his fourth over, depleting India’s bowling attack.

Labuschagne fell on 28, when he was caught at slip off the bowling of spinner Ravi Ashwin.

Australia’s batting hopes initially rested with test cricket’s top-ranked batsman Steve Smith.

However, Smith has not reached double figures once in the series - the former test skipper was bowled around his legs by Jasprit Bumrah for eight at 71-3.

Matthew Wade was LBW to spinner Ravindra Jadeja at 98-4, after scoring 40 off 137 balls in a gritty performance.

Head (17) played an

ambitious shot at a wide ball from Mohammed Siraj, and was caught at second slip with the total still on 98.

Australia suffered a middle-order collapse, losing three wickets for one run, including the dismissal of Tim Paine. The skipper was caught behind off the bowling of Jadeja (2-25), following a video review.

Cummins was dropped on 11 by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, although it was a very difficult chance.

While India enjoyed another day of dominance, the tourists could have been in an even better position.

India was bowled out just before lunch for 326, losing its last three wickets for one run.

Stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane was needlessly run out for 112, when Jadeja was seeking a single on 49.

Rahane and Jadeja (57) had steered India to a firstinnings advantage with their 121-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Rahane, 32, calmly soaked up the pressure applied by Australia’s bowlers in his patient, 223ball knock, hitting 12 boundaries in his 112.

Wade said he hoped Australia’s tai-lenders could

deliver an overall lead of 150 or even 200.

“We’ll take anything.

Anything over 100 would be good,” he said. He said the pitch was offering some assistance to the spinners and seamers. “Every now and then there is a bit of nip,” Wade added.

India’s pace-bowling debutant Siraj, who has claimed three wickets in the match including removing Head on Monday, said the pitch was “getting slower and slower.”

Siraj said it was vital that India did not let Australia off the hook in the morning session on Tuesday.

“We just want to stick to basics,” he said. India is without its best batsman and captain Virat Kohli for the rest of the series, after he returned home to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.

Kohli left with India trailing 1-0 after a loss in Adelaide, where the tourists were bowled out for a national-record low of 36 in its second innings.

Scores: Australia 195 and 133 for 6 (Wade 40, Jadeja 2-25) lead India 326 (Rahane 112, Jadeja 57, Lyon 3-72, Starc 3-78) by two runs.

Tuesday December 29, 2020

Kaieteur News

Budhai 5 for spurs Married Men XI to victorya The teams with their prizes after the game.

Aknauth Budhai grabbed five wickets to lead Married Men XI to 27- run victory over Bachelor’s XI when the Lusignan Sports Club held its 8th annual Boxing Day game.

Married Men XI opted to bat and posted 213 for eight. Keon Franklin struck 65, Navin Persaud made 44, while Gewan Persaud and Vishnu Ramjeet contributed 30 each.

Bowling for Bachelor’s XI, Azad Mohamed took 2-24, Mike Persaud had 2-26, Roy

Seebaran 2-27 and Karamchan Persaud 2-32.

Bachelor’s XI responded with 186 all out in 18.3 overs. Kumar Bishundial scored 65, Robin Williams 47 and Azad Mohamed 26.

Budhai finished with 5 for 24, Amar Persaud 2 for 23 and Shameer Mohamed 2 for 27. Franklin and Bishundial received prizes for the highest individual score on both sides, Budhai took the best bowler accolade and Sackichan Jhagdeo the best catch trophy.

PAGE 25

Ramesh Sunich (right) and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major displays the winning and MVP trophies.

rt o p S GFF/K&S/MCYS Bounce Back Football

All systems a go for today’s kick off; Ground Structure Engineering Consultants & Trophy Stall on board Motherwell Football Association, winners of the COSAFA Under-15 girls’ schools tournament.

Future of women’s football in Africa on show as new generation emerges in COSAFA 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.