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US Coastguard flagship NEWS deployed to battle illegal - to conduct fishing offshore Guyana “multi-month patrols” AIETEUR

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Wednesday Edition December 30, 2020 - Vol. 15 No. 50

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Exxon charges Guyana US$1.6B for works up - Govt. has concerns “adverse” findings to 2017 aloneabout Guyana to spend

Coalition spent all of US$18M of ExxonMobil US$2M on one helicopter, - Auditor maintenance and training Signing Bonus General - says Finance Minister Hess Corp. was marketer for Guyana’s 4th oil lift Region 6 officer Cuban man Killer gets 23 threatens wife confesses years for murder to killing with knives in woman and of US citizen front of police her daughter for insurance

APNU/AFC Cabinet approved - AG 2019 $228M on project but report contract signed for $191M

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday December 30, 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

Dollars for distress Open the papers and everyday it is more of the same news: millions borrowed from over there, and more millions taken from those in other places and institutions, all too willing to feed what is now a habit of the PPP/C government. Incidentally, those millions are in United States dollars, which we remind our fellow Guyanese represent tens of billions in Guyana dollars and almost all borrowed.

This means that when this borrowing binge is over (if it ever is) we are going to owe a lot, have to pay tens of millions in interest alone, and repay principal for decades to come.

This bingeing habit, more of an addiction when all loans are counted, adds up, at a recent count, to a staggering US$180M in the span of mere months. When governments borrow recklessly and lavishly, it is the taxpayers, who are saddled with the painful responsibility of paying back. We say painful, because it means more taxes or less spending on routine social services, through chipping away at areas considered less exciting. What is also alarming is that ordinary Guyanese seem to be taken in by the flurry of costly projects - all dazzling, all needed at the same time, which is now - and without any indication of what these borrowings can inflict on this country and the backs of its citizens. Though good sense should prevail, and the reactions be otherwise, few appear to care.

It sure has been a time to turn the head, and with the borrowed money rushing in from all corners, there is both excitement and consternation. The excitements drown out the concerns. It is drink with abandon (borrow) today, and the hangover - agonizing, costly, crippling - will be dealt with tomorrow. There will be time to get around to that later. So, it is drink up today, and so the billions come with tinkle and jingle.

Every day is Christmas in oil-rich, oil-mad Guyana.

The PPP/C government benefits from a perfect storm of events, which provides its sharp leaders with even more perfect coverings to race down this borrowing expressway.

There is the COVID-19 pandemic, with nothing better than that as justification for borrowing and spending to get things back on track. There is considerable validity to such assertions by government; yet there seems to be some degree of excess involved, given borrowing levels. Some loans have been gone through faster than a consuming wildfire, with more applied for to keep the money spigot flowing. There will be hell to pay later when the piper comes calling - many of them to collect what is due.

Another rationalizing smartly utilized for the spurts of borrowings is the damage inflicted by our unending elections delays. Again, there is some truth to that contention. But again, while that serves as a powerful jolt of electricity for easily agitated supporters, elections delays as rationale for such extensive borrowings is taking things too far, which the PPP/C government knows very well cannot be readily challenged because of the many major mistakes made by the Coalition during those devastating elections delays.

It is the equivalent of heaping blame on the dead, which is in no position to counter-argue. It is just too many loans taken, which leaves most Guyanese unmoved, since the majority is guilty of thinking that future oil revenues will offset. Though we hope and wish for the opposite, complacent Guyanese could be in for a rude awakening because of miscalculations.

For there is a place in Africa that serves as a reminder of how things can go bad, and at the worst possible time. This was what KN reported in an article titled, “Oil-rich South Sudan trapped in dangerous cycle of debt” (KN December 20).

Anti-corruption watchdog Global Witness pointed out: “Oil dollars are used to pay off old loans while new loans fund the budget…the government risks selling South Sudan’s future to pay for today.”

Wise words, indeed, and words of caution that should

Happy New Year: A return to “normalcy” should not form part of our vocabulary Dear Editor, In just a matter of days, the year 2021 will be upon us. While many are looking forward to a brand new year, we cannot help but regard it as the year when the past will not only be an integral part of the present, but also serve as a visceral reminder of how the unexpected can derail well-planned resolutions, produce stress and halt economic progress - thanks to COVID-19 - that unrelenting life taker, and unassailable game changer.

There has always been something very enticing about using the new year as a change marker, for it brings in its wake the opportunity for a fresh start, and a chance to commit to making essential improvements in one’s life. While a new year may embolden people to

think long term, given the uncertainty and restrictions brought about by the pandemic, it is more difficult to make long-term resolutions in 2021.

Not only has the pandemic given us all a different experience of time, it has caused the future to become less predictable, which translated means that the setting of long-term goals is much more difficult. How can the ideal self be conceptualized without knowing what that self will be experiencing?

Commencing from the third month of 2020, humans were left bereft of choices, making the future somewhat unsettlingly unknowable.

So what about the resolutions? New Year resolutions are examples of the ubiquitous human

yearning to have some control over what lies ahead.

Not knowing what is to come, means we don’t know what we need to know to keep ourselves safe. In order to circumvent this disturbing powerlessness, we do things to take control, such as r es o lv in g to d i e t an d exercise, to quit smoking and to start saving.

It is not of great concern whether or not we maintain our determination and make good on these promises.

Committing to them, at least for a moment, transmits a feeling of more control over the uncertain days to come.

For those who find it difficult to resist thinking about long-term goals even in the face of the uncertainty that the pandemic has wrought worldwide, then a resort can resort to reviewing

what you have learnt during the pandemic.

New Year 2021 is unique in its own way and will forever remain etched in the minds of many the world over, and although 2021 may feel like a fresh start, will not rid us of the COVID-19 pandemic or its new variant.

One of the biggest mistakes that can be made is to assume for even a nano of a second, that 2021, by default will be better than 2020. Do not forget that COVID came around with a great sound, and to this day continues to disrupt our school, work and play.

So as the year comes to an end, this message I send-A Happy New Year and may we all be spared any further fear.

Yvonne Sam

Holiday season among pioneering Guyanese New Yorkers DEAR EDITOR, The holiday season among pioneering Guyanese Americans (during the 1960s and early 1970s) was extremely lonely unlike in recent years in America. In fact, there was hardly such a thing as a Christmas holiday or end of year celebration or any sort of (friend or family or neighbourhood) ‘get together’, the luxurious kind experienced over the last four decades among Guyanese families in the US with an assortment of Guyanese and American foods.

Guyanese started coming to America (New York) just after 1965, a significant year when America opened up to the so-called non-White countries. There were discriminatory laws against Indians to settle in America prior to 1965. There were no laws against Africans or Blacks. Guyanese started coming as students after independence in 1966.

The American Christmas holiday among pioneering Guyanese was nothing like what it was in Guyana being with family members and neighbours. It was a life lived in fear with (undocumented) migrants unsure of the future

if picked up by immigration agents for deportation. It was dull and lonesome – time spent with oneself or at work or watching TV. Christmas or New Year was like any other day, no special meal or drinks. There were no parties, fetes, or festivities.

There was no eating or drinking binge as in recent decades among Guyanese families. The meals of the 1960s and 1970s were very basic as in a normal day. It was a quiet holiday season until around the early 1980s when community celebrations took off and paid parties or concerts were organised in the Bronx and Manhattan. When Guyanese started becoming homeowners in the late 1970s, more elaborate parties and foods were prepared with many guests.

Immigration agents don’t invade homes looking for ‘illegals’, as in the past.

When I came to New York in 1977 as a 16-yearold for medical studies, gathering of Guyanese was rare except at cricket matches or volleyball or picnics on Sundays which I looked forward to because I was very good at playing cricket. Most of the early

alert all Guyanese of the need for prudence in borrowing.

Moreover, government spending priorities and corruption eat away at such loans, while many languish in poverty. Guyana has been there before under both the PNCR and the PPP/C, which is what hangs over the head of this nation. Guyanese beware: these extravagant borrowing can come back to haunt, and especially when misused, which we have had with every government.

Guyanese Migrants were Indians (about 85 percent); Afros headed to Brooklyn while Indos headed to Manhattan and the Bronx; in the 1980s, Indians gravitated to Queens. ‘Get together’ occurred only among immediate family members and friends for Christmas and New Year and the eve of both and maybe on birthdays or anniversaries in a small apartment. There were no rented halls (lack of affordability) or private homes to host fetes. (There were no ‘get together’ for Guyana Independence or Republic Day or Indian Arrival Day; these commemorative occasions started occurring in the late 1980s. Indians were not interested in Independence and Republic Day because they felt the Burnham state treated them as unequal to his supporters.) For X-Mas a n d N e w Ye a r, s o m e Guyanese went to work during their early years in America. They had many bills for payment. Work was more important than fete and Guyanese took advantage of over time (beyond eight hours and holidays) when offered. They needed to save money to send to relatives back in Guyana and to purchase a home or invest in a business. Boxing Day is not a holiday in America – a regular workday – and as such, not a day for feting.

Guyanese were few and far between (in areas where they lived) during the 1960s and 1970s to socialise for

holiday seasons. There were hardly friends or family members to socialise with.

The migrants came largely single or maybe with a brother. There were very few females among early migrants – two in 10. Wives did not join husband until the male was settled and had a private apartment for a family. Brothers and or sisters joined later. The early migrants were relatively young in their 20s and 30s.

Unlike recent migrants, early Guyanese were more interested in employment rather than feting because they left several mouths behind that needed to be fed and must send remittances.

There was not much (extra) money to entertain friends in parties. However, Guyanese who lived together in an apartment or in the same tenement building did ‘get together’ to share camaraderie on Christmas and or New Year and or on their eves (Old Year’s night or Christmas Eve) if they were not working those days.

There were a few buildings in ‘slummy’ parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn, South Bronx, and Flushing where Guyanese clustered in small apartments; downtown Manhattan had several rundown buildings and ‘roach motels’ that offered cheap rentals but high crimes. Indo Guyanese and Trinis clustered in them.

Rentals in these neighbourhoods were low and immigration agents tend (Continued on page 6)

Wednesday December 30, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Kissoon has earned his place as a key contributor to the recolonisation of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, I am exercising the right to respond in like measure to Frederick Kissoon’s article “Granger ignored Lewis, will Trump ignore Flynn?” (KN 23rd December 2020). I am a proud blue-collar worker. I admire all working-class people, blue collar or suit and tie whom some refer to as white collar. As a trade unionist, I am happy to see persons engaged in honest and productive endeavours that bring financial sustenance to themselves and family whilst contributing honestly to building a better community.

I can make no claim of comparison to Michael Flynn’s nor Freddie Kissoon’s scholastic achievement. What I do know is, compared to Kissoon and Flynn I am a man of character

and intellectual honesty. I am a patriotic Guyanese, an African man who subscribes to rights and the rule of law, not just for some, but for all peoples of my country and elsewhere, regardless of the colour of their skin, the texture of their hair or their social class. I believe in the humanity of all peoples making them deserving of equal rights and justice.

The values I hold are consistent with the seasons, for all citizens of the world. I believe in freedoms and equality. I believe in justice for all not just for some and unlike these two dishonest, unpatriotic rogues and outcasts, I have never been dishonourably discharged from any institution or organisation to which I was affiliated. Both Flynn and Kissoon are rejects, both at organisational and societal level and have resolved to being the useful waste utensil

doing the dirty work for those who want to protect their own image.

Both men are miniature in physical size and are ugly human specimens by virtue of their shameless political recklessness and lack of rectitude. Both play the role in their respective countries akin to Dracula’s faithful hunchback, luring unsuspecting and naïve victims to a deadly ‘undead’ blood sucking experience, even as they support the unleashing of deadly evil on their nation. Flynn and Kissoon are both dishonest misfits and societal nuisances, with no moral code, nor sense of fair play.

They may be seen as successful citizens in their spheres. They are not good nor decent citizens.

Flynn’s take on the USA election is different from mine on Guyana. Understandably the “nincompoopism”

Guyoil bonus: A case of legitimate expectation DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) since its formation in 1976 has been one among the very few autonomous state corporations that has consistently made a profit each year of it operations. It also has the unique distinction of consistently paying company employees a bonus each year of its existence without missing a beat.

The question that has always been on the lips of Guyoil employees was not whether there will be a bonus or not, but rather ‘how much will it be? Would it be two, three or four weeks? To read the announcement that

Guyoil would not be paying a bonus nor a salary increase for this year to the employees was a real disappointment.

The payment of the bonus based on the profitability of the company each year has created a legitimate expectation in the minds of each employee and will serve as a major disincentive if not paid. Guyoil is an autonomous state entity and as such, it can independently pay bonuses outside of any other Public Service agreement. However, Guyoil has always been treated as a political football. When it suits the government, it is an autonomous entity as in the case when it refuses their

application for duty free concession on vehicles because of the said autonomy but when it comes to higher wages and bonuses, they can only get what public servants receive because that is now their convenient classification.

In this time of Covid, it is more than a legitimate expectation of the employees to receive a bonus; it is the corporate, responsible, humane thing to do, especially in light of Guyoil continuing to be a highly profitable State Enterprise.

The bonus should be paid forthwith.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

displayed by Kissoon and his wicked intent to undermine African resistance to a wicked regime would cause him not to acknowledge the basic differences in the two.

I am convinced it is Freddie’s job to advance and support an alternate reality in Guyana, to enable political destabilisation of our beautiful country by the greedy and corrupt political class. Kissoon operating at the level of the media absent the conviction, military brass, spit and polish is the Guyana version of Flynn though very disheveled, wild looking and uglier. Both appear to be having some mental condition beyond my intellectual competence to determine. As such, I venture only to say, though functional, they are missing some marbles.

There are some who believe America has a sick mind in the White House, a mind of the kind that makes vicious dictators. Flynn who served that sick mind, creating history as the shortest serving national security advisor received a presidential pardon in a bizarre and continued crime absolution to thwart justice for the American people. Flynn since his release from prison suggested that outgoing U.S President Donald Trump should use military force to “rerun” the election in the key swing states he lost in November.

Trump has claimed massive electoral fraud and victory even though state and federal investigators have found no evidence of election fraud that would change the election outcome. Further, the validation and certification of the electoral process was completed by all states at the

time when Flynn made additional reckless s t a t e m e n t s , suggesting misusing martial law in the absence of a complete civil breakdown of law and order and to delegitimise and overturn certified and valid electoral results. The intellectual idiot ignores this.

Contrary to what happened in the USA where the attempt to corrupt the electoral results was at the behest of the sitting President, in Guyana it was under attack by the then opposition and organised subsets, in conjunction with corrupt domestic, private media, regional and foreign forces, who set out to subvert the process. The vicious assault, lies and m i s i n f o r m a t i o n unleashed and the international bullyism of operatives led to all institutions of democracy collapsing under pressure.

Kissoon has earned his place as a key contributor to the recolonisation of Guyana; the 2020 electoral thievery; the undermining of GECOM; the domination and reinforcement of “alternative facts” to create an alternate reality; the PPP violence unleashed on this nation; the attacks meted out to the African working class and members of the African community. The looming destruction of Guyana as an independent sovereign nation exercising control over its oil wealth, and prime real estate rests on the shoulders of Kissoon, and other kindred spirits, amongst them some corrupt, self-serving, power driven, racists ideologues and soup drinkers with no moral compass nor commitment to country.

Trumpland, USA, is a case

study of what transpired in Guyana and Bolivia but failed in the USA where democracy was also attacked. Guyana’s fledgling democracy unfortunately failed and corruption rules again. Unlike Kissoon, I have an unshakeable belief in rights and the rule of law for all Guyanese and not just some. I understand the moral value of wrong and right. I understand the intent behind his attack on my credibility and integrity. For him, my embrace and pursuit of justice is a threat to PPP dominance and control. I represent the African resistance to the “black attack” that he is an architect of decades now.

Where my image and integrity are concerned my record which he seeks maliciously to impugn speaks for me as does his constant erroneous shape shifting. My position on the Guyana 2020 elections is unchanged. I repeat with the same conviction that given what was obviously and more so now a coup, President David Granger should have cancelled the elections. This was only possible before the declaration and I publicly, in an effort to save Guyana, expressed this view that remains unchanged.

The USA elections have been subjected to all exhaustive political and legal (Continued on page 6)

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Kaieteur News

...Holiday season among From page 4 to avoid buildings that were crime ridden. The migrants didn’t want to draw much attention and ‘hid’ as much time as they could away from the public view unsure who was an immigration agent. Anytime they saw well-attired White men in the rundown neighbourhood or a well dressed Black speaking with “an American accent” with Whites, their heartbeat increased; one was unsure if he was or they were immigration raiding officers. (The agents who cornered me on 40th street in Manhattan asking for my immigration document were American Blacks and Puerto Ricans. I was working as a messenger hand delivering packages but had my valid college ID as I was a legitimate student).

The holiday ‘get together’ allowed people to reminisce about Guyana, sharing experiences from various villages. They would sum up money, bought drinks, and prepared basic food (dhal, rice, chicken, and aloo, and or a cook up). There were no freshly killed animals – that came late 1970s and afterwards. There was hardly any bara, pholourie, channa, dhal puri, pachounie, etc. as ingredients were not available and they were time consuming to prepare and males were not quite adept (like females) in preparing some of them.

Fruits were plentiful but Guyanese had lost the appetite for apples and grapes whose consumption Burnham criminalized. And there were hardly any vegetables (like baigan, bora, ochro, etc. – which became available during the late 1970s and 1980s and thereafter. Korean fresh market fruits and vegetable markets did not spring up until the late 1970s. Richmond Hill Little Guyana was not created until the late 1980s. Indo and Afro Guyanese used to shop at Little India in Manhattan on Lexington Ave., between 23 and 29 Streets, and a few blocks East and West of that area.

The holiday parties had low Bollywood movie songs as the migrants did not want to attract attention; most of them were illegal and fearful of immigration raids – officers would carry out routine raids in search of ‘illegals’ including during the holiday season. For the holiday, small groups of Guyanese would ‘get together’ in an office in Brooklyn managed by a Black Jamaican to record a message and paid a fee for it to be wired and aired on radio in Guyana.

In the 1960s, it cost $3 per airing for the message and went up to $5 in the early 1970s; that was a lot of money at the time considering that the weekly salary was $60 and a can of pepsi cost 10 cents and a six-pack beer was only a dollar. (US$ was exchanging around G$1.70 in 1968). Some paid to broadcast their message on Christmas and Boxing Days and New Year’s; phones during White man rule in the 1960s worked well in Guyana unlike during the 1970s and 1980s.

Holiday celebrations among Guyanese did not become a luxurious entertainment until many owned private homes. Only a few Guyanese could afford to purchase a home during the 1970s.

At any rate, most Guyanese in the 1970s were illegal and could not entertain the idea of home ownership. During the 1980s, as they became legal residents or citizens, more Guyanese purchased homes. Homeowners hosted parties for friends and relatives but were careful not to play loud music fearing neighbours calling the police or alerting immigration officers. Beginning in the 1990s, Guyanese home ownership became common, especially in various parts of Queens and in Brooklyn on the border to Queens where hundreds of thousands of Guyanese now settle. Over the last couple decades, there have been luxurious, posh, extravagant holiday parties, except this year of course because of the Covid pandemic.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Wednesday December 30, 2020

Alcoholism is largely fuelled by conditions of poverty DEAR EDITOR, In Guyana, alcoholics are erroneously blamed for their problems and labelled as useless because of ignorance. Government is also acting on such ignorance. There is no empathy and thus no help for addicts.

We all know that Mr. Jagdeo is the man running the show in the new PPP/C administration. And he continues to turn a blind eye to the vast alcohol problem facing Guyana. Mr. Jagdeo, who is said to be an economist, has never once spoken of the socioeconomic impact of this problem. Mr. Jagdeo seems to be unaware that alcoholism is largely fuelled by conditions of poverty. Mr. Jagdeo does not understand how people in poor neighbourhoods all across Guyana are mainly affected by this problem.

Based on the nurture/

nurture perspective, it can be deduced that the incidence of alcoholism would be lower in places like the ocean front enclave widely known as Pradoville where affluent government officials mainly inhabit as compared to places like the Punt Trench Dam. I know far too many alcoholics from the Punt Trench. Mr. Jagdeo must know that alcoholics should never be blamed for their problems.

Our governments have created conditions that turn Guyanese into alcoholics.

Our governments have disadvantaged us and caused us to live a stressful life in poverty. This is what is driving alcoholism. Where are our hearts in this country? Mr. Jagdeo must understand that not all of us can make it into government and be able to raise our children in elite oceanfront communities.

Mr. Jagdeo should understand that the National

...Kissoon has earned his place as a key From page 5 manoeuvres in an effort for a USA President embroiled in numerous corrupt practices to illegally overthrow the results. Guyanese should have exercised every legal manoeuvre to subvert the brazen coup unleashed on its democracy, championed

by Trump officials and supported by others.

Nothing in Flynn’s suggested military takeover of the USA elections process to circumvent declared and certified elections, that withstood several state recounts and court rulings, compares to my belief that President Granger could have and should have scrapped the elections and save Guyana from the coup that resulted in regime change. Whether it is a coup to bring about regime change or continuation, a coup is unacceptable to me.

Freddie the ugly misfit,

D r a c u l a ’ s hunchback and intellectually corrupt mind will seek to corrupt the gullible in society.

As evident even in the great USA, there are many such. Ours must be a constant battle to ground our society in rights and the rule of law.

It is what worked for the USA and it can and will work for Guyana. Beware those, from media to all branches of government, who are a current threat and danger to these fundamentals upon which democracy must be built.

There is dignity in resistance and a duty of the decent people to do so. Fear must no longer stalk this land and sick bullies like Kissoon must be constantly challenged every time he raises his dishevelled head to present an alternate reality.

Lincoln Lewis

Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains drug addiction and in particular, alcohol addiction through a widely used model that views alcoholism as a relapsing brain disease. Evidence has been accumulating in this direction. For example, brain imaging techniques have revealed that repeated alcohol exposure can structurally and functionally alter the brain’s chemistry and the brain’s architecture in disrupting homeostatic brain functions in hijacking voluntary behavioural control. In other words, alcoholics have no control over their behaviours. And this is a key behavioural marker which distinguishes addicts from non-addicts.

Even rum shops have caught on to this and they have chronically picked the pockets of addicts. Addicts can credit endless quantities of alcohol from Rum Shops as if alcohol is a lifesaving commodity. Rum Shops have long been predatory.

The Guyanese society is cruel. Where are our hearts

in this country? I cannot believe that this is happening and Mr. Jagdeo turns a blind eye for more than two long decades. When will Mr. Jagdeo understand the alcohol problem and step in to do something about it? It is clear that Mr. Jagdeo will treat those with marijuana use disorder or addiction in the same manner. There is no help for addicts in Guyana.

None!

Given Mr. Jagdeo’s overall position on alcoholism, I find it very hard to believe that he is into removing custodial sentencing on small quantities of marijuana to protect individuals carrying this substance.

Is Mr. Jagdeo ready to dive right into the marijuana business for monetary and political gains in spite that there is no foundation for such business in Guyana?

Mr. Jagdeo must understand that the social, economic and political dynamics in Guyana are markedly different from (Continued on page 22)

A renewed sense of hope and optimism DEAR EDITOR, The dawn of a new year always brings with it a renewed sense of hope and optimism.

Such optimism, I believe, is not misplaced. We have, as a country, turned the corner and are well on our way to economic prosperity. Our oil and gas potential, once a distant dream, has now become a living reality.

We have had our full share of challenges in 2020 but we thankfully emerged triumphant and stronger.

The above notwithstanding, we still have much work to do in the coming period in terms of consolidating our democracy and laying the foundations for sustainable development

and the creation of harmonious and just society.

This will require the support of all Guyanese especially our political leaders.

We have to rise above adversarial politics and place the good and well-being of our people and country above partisan interests.

I am optimistic, indeed excited, about the future prospects of Guyana. I encourage all Guyanese to share that optimism and put aside whatever differences we may have and work together for our common good.

I take this opportunity to wish all Guyanese a prosperous and productive New Year!

Hydar Ally

Wednesday December 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

IF COVID-19 DOES NOT GET YOU, THE BANDITS WILL There is hardly a day that there is not a report of someone being robbed or, even worse, being killed during the course of a robbery.

Life has become a lottery in Guyana; if the COVID-19 doesn’t get you, the bandits will.

Citizens are at the mercy of criminals. They are helpless to do anything about it. And the police are unable to stem the incidence of crime. It is not surprising to learn that even during the pandemic, crime has escalated.

The new Home Affairs Minister is yet to detail his anticrime strategy. But he should know that if you try to do the same things in the same way, the result will be the same.

The downfall of all of his predecessors is that they believed that they could bring about a change in the crime situation in the country. But they never sought to do so through a radical departure in approaches.

The general approach which has been adopted, year-in-year-out, day-in-dayout, has been to provide the police with more resources in the hope that they will do a better job. The police are part of the problem and they are not likely to be part of the solution unless there is complete overhaul of the Guyana Police Force.

But that is one cat which no one wants to bell and for that reason, nothing will change. The Guyana Police Force, as presently structured, cannot be reformed. It cannot be converted into a professional police force. The entire Force has to be dismantled and rebuilt; this will involve changing more than 80 percent of the present staff.

The Guyana Police Force has developed an internal culture, which is based on certain dysfunctional ideas.

One is that the police are too powerful and are free to use that power against civilians.

The police need to be made answerable for their performance of lack of it.

Unless that happens, the arrogance and ignorance, which characterizes so much of police conduct will not change. Nor will corruption.

There should have already been a Commission of Inquiry into the disappearance of firearms seized by the Force. It is extremely disturbing that we live in a country in which illegal firearms are intercepted by the police and these firearms end up disappearing, no doubt into the hands of criminals. These criminals will use these weapons.

The overwhelming majority of Guyanese are lawabiding citizens. They do not flout the law. The police have never had reason to arrest them or suspect them of any criminal wrongdoing. Yet, most of these persons are victims of crime and the only reason why they have had the cause to go to a police station is to report that they have been victims of a crime.

But do not be fooled into believing that it is only a handful of persons who are committing crimes. Years ago, a flawed theory made rounds.

It posited that Guyana was a criminalized state. This is not so. Guyana is a criminalized society.

Persons are stealing from others in school, in their homes, on the playfield, in farms and even at work. No one is safe anywhere in this country because of the

pervasiveness of crime. That is why it is said that if COVID19 does not get you, the bandits sure will.

The level of crime and the extent of crime is as such that it would provide a test for even a highly professional police force. This is what makes crime fighting even more difficult. Go to any police station on any day and stick around, if they let you. You will witness all manner of petty crimes being reported, including neighbour cussing out neighbour. These petty crimes are exhausting on the police. The Minister of Home Affairs has his work cut out.

It makes no sense the Minister try to reform or improve the Guyana Police Force. This is impractical since it will involve dismissing more than half of the Force.

Crime fighting has to involve a new approach. It has to be done at the level of the community.

Community policing is one in which the people of the community, in partnership with the police, assume responsibility for the protection of their community.

This is the only solution to the crime problem facing the country.

The Minister of Home Affairs can buy all the new vehicles, which he wants for the police, it will not make a difference. These vehicles will end up in the scrap-yard within one year. The scale of crime is too much. The Guyana Police Force is simply overwhelmed, corrupt and incompetent. It is time to privatize policing.

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

Dem Boys Seh…

Politicians’ gan knack glass tomorrow night Dem boys wan know weh dem political big wigs gan be celebrating New Year’s Eve. De COVID mek all dem Old Year’s Night party get cancelled. But Dem Boys remember when some of dem big ones from de Pee Pee Pee used to track dem favourite watering hole on Main Street and knack glass with some of dem Hap-New boys.

Dem boys gat a sneaking suspicion dat dem does still meet up and knack glass just like how Cheddi and Burnham used to meet up at de Seawall and gaff while dem supporters fighting

each other.

Is suh we stupid! We does deh at each other’s throats while dem political leaders does be knacking glass and being nice to one another.

Would it not be nice if Soulja Bai and Irfaan ketch up fuh a nice lil gaff somewhere between State House and Pearl.

Dat would make plenty people feel nice, except dat Soulja Bai might want walk with Lil Joe and Irfaan gan be looking over he shoulder fuh see weh Bharrat deh.

Old Year’s Night is a time fuh fuhget old grouses and to move on. Is time Guyana

move forward and everybody live in love and unity. Dem boys remember de last Old Year’s Night event dem went to at a popular watering hole. Almost everyone tun up with dem wife that night – which was not usual. One of de women announce dat at de stroke of midnight, she wanted every husband to be standing next to de one person who made his life worth living.

As de clock struck, de bartender was almost crushed to death.

Talk half and whatever you do tomorrow night pray for peace.

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Wednesday December 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 30, 2020

Region 6 officer threatens wife with knives in front of police - accused of breaking into home of estranged wife, falling asleep VACANCY Welder/ Fabricator for interior location. Application must be experienced with verifiable references. Call 618-2020

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Porters & Delivery Clerk, 5 subjects cxc, Experience, Good Communication 8 s h e r i f f s t r e e t mimadecor12@gmail.com Tel#227-0176/86 Office Assistant 5 subjects cxc, 2 years minimum experience, NIS/ PAYE/ Payroll 8 s h e r i f f s t r e e t mimadecor12@gmail.com Tel#227-0176/86 Sales representative 5 subjects cxc , good communication skills, experience Mima Decor, 8 sheriff street 2270 1 7 6 mimadecor06@gmail.com 2 experienced cooks at people's choice kitchen. 88 James, St.Albouystown.

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LAND FOR SALE One house lot at Garden eden 2.2neg 672-4230 only chass / no bank

PRPERTY FOR SALE Canville E.B.D assess mine road 5 street 6.5 millon FOR SALE Mixed bread poppies for sale 253-3114, 692-0126, 613-2809.

VACANCY Vacancy exists for welder fabricator & driver to work out of town accommodation provided. Contact 604 2100

Livein domestic Georgetown, Boys & Girls for the interior Tel#674-9999/ 6862201/ 670-1641 Nursery teacher wanted for east coast location must have experience Call 624-4633

The Sport Officer attached to the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six (East Berbice) is presently in police custody after he armed himself with knives and threatened his reputed wife… in the presence of the police.

Gladwyn Allicock, whose last known address is Rose Hall Town, was arrested yesterday after he armed himself with knives and threatened his reputed wife, in the vicinity of the New Amsterdam Police Station.

Kaieteur News was informed that Allicock threatened the woman outside the gates of the police station.

Police sources said that the night prior to the incident,

Allicock broke into the woman’s home and fell asleep. She decided to file a report with the police since they separated. According to the police, the woman and suspect both work at the RDC. Later that day, it was while she was making her way into work that she saw the suspect also entering the compound.

She told the police that she immediately left the location and returned to the station but Allicock reportedly followed her.

He jumped into her taxi with two knives in hand.

It was the taxi driver who assisted the woman by getting her safely to the station. The taxi driver used a cutlass from his car

to protect the woman. It was at the station that Allicock then rushed up to the woman and began threatening her… in the presence of the police. He had the knives in his hands. Ranks attempted to arrest him but he evaded them and escaped. The police immediately launched a search and soon after arrested him. A police source revealed that a bottle containing poisonous substance and two knives were retrieved from the suspect. Kaieteur News was reliably informed that on one of the knives, yesterday’s date was stamped on it. He is currently under watch by ranks since he has threatened to commit suicide while in custody. Allicock will appear at the Reliance

Estranged husband, Gladwyn Allicock is likely to face the courts today.

Magistrate Court today to face a charge of threatening behaviour.

...Errant contractors under pressure as consumers’ From page 12 when they enter into this negotiation game, they have the knowledge also.”

Consumer Affairs Officer (ag), Rusante Perry, said the Consumers Affairs Act stipulates that defaulting contractors are required to repair, replace or refund customers. Failure to do so will lead to them being called before

the Board of Commissioners for a hearing.

She said the CCAC receives an average of 25 complaints per year regarding the construction industry at an average of ten million dollars. Ms. Perry said the Commission has been able to resolve 70 percent of the complaints so far with them being solved right at the investigative

level.

She added that the Commission plans to promote the roadmap aggressively through various media and collaboration with agencies like the Ministry of Housing where hard copies of the roadmap will be available.

The roadmap was developed through collaboration with

the Ministry of Housing and Water, the Guyana Institute of Architects, the Mayor and City Council, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and consultations with legitimate contractors, commercial banks, insurance companies and other relevant agencies. The Homebuilder’s Roadmap can be accessed online at ccac.gov.gy.

...US Coastguard flagship deployed to battle From page 20 professional men and women I serve alongside. It is no easy feat to assemble a crew and ready a cutter for sea – but this crew has had to perform this difficult task while observing protective measures associated with the Coronavirus-19 pandemic.

The crew and I look forward to this historic first voyage, as Stone begins a storied career of service to this nation.

While balancing training and qualification requirements, Stone’s crew will engage with partner nations in South America in a like-minded pursuit to curb illegal fishing tactics.”

This was also disclosed by Captain Adam Morrison, commanding officer of USCGC Stone (WMSL 758).

Nearly half the world’s population relies on fish for 20 percent of their animal protein. IUU fishing removes access to this

valuable protein source, particularly to the most vulnerable coastal States.

The first sale value of global fish production in 2018 stands at $401 billion.

“IUU Fishing results in tens of billions of dollars of lost revenue to legal fishers every year.”

The US Coast Guard said that of the world’s top marine fish stocks, 93 percent classified as fully exploited, over-

exploited, or significantly depleted.

“IUU fishing undermines the sustainable management of these resources, pushing them to the limits of their capacity.”

The vessels are 418 feet (127 meters) long with a 54-foot beam and displace 4,500 tons with a full load. They have a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60 days, and a crew of around 120.

...Alcoholism is largely fuelled by conditions of poverty From page 6 Canada. Guyana is in no way ready to support recreational marijuana like Canada.

Recreational marijuana should not be confused with medicinal marijuana. Yes, medicinal marijuana is encouraged in large part because of scant data on its usefulness in the clinics. And, also because it is dispensed in a tightly controlled manner where the dose and frequency of administration can be easily monitored.

However, most countries around the world have refused to give the green light to recreational marijuana.

And Mr. Jagdeo irresponsibly encourages recreational marijuana through his position.

Canada has welcomed both recreational and medicinal marijuana in a responsible way. Canada has laid the groundwork and its people are educated about

substance use and misuse.

Canada is not faced with an alcohol problem either. In Guyana, the alcohol problem is huge and it is downright irresponsible to pave the way for another substance with addictive potentials. Further, like alcohol, marijuana can elicit an array of unwanted brain effects, which include: addiction, withdrawal, tolerance and relapse. Also, marijuana can stimulate the release of excess dopamine in the brain thereby exerting schizophrenic-like symptoms which is behaviourally marked by hallucinations.

Marijuana like alcohol can also alter cerebellar functions in impairing motor activities in causing road accidents.

Marijuana can also remodel and rewire neural circuitries in the adolescent brain due to a high degree of plasticity in causing adolescents to become more susceptible to substance use disorder

among a wide assortment of serious problems. In total, marijuana has the potential to deepen and widen the existing social problems in this country.

Importantly, it is hoped that Mr. Jagdeo understands that he should not press ahead with recreational marijuana in the face of a severe lack of intervention. Does Mr. Jagdeo appreciate the importance of social workers, counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists and interventions for the addicts?

I am heartbroken over the chronic alcohol addiction problem in Guyana. Life is painful. There is absolutely no help for the addicts. How can Mr. Jagdeo or anyone carry on without addressing the chronic and widespread alcohol addiction problem?

The Ministry of Social Protection is also of no help.

I have approached this

ministry about 10 years ago concerning help for people who I care about. It is painful to regurgitate the response I received. And to make matters worse, the PPP/C through its propaganda organs continues to threaten and silence our voice when we speak out against inhumanity. Under such pervasive dysfunction, our loved ones are left to suffer and die. This is traumatic and unbearable. And last but not least, we can all predict how Mr. Jagdeo will react to our concerns about poly substance use involving marijuana and alcohol. Of course, Mr. Jagdeo may turn a blind eye and bark that Guyana has the right to be in the marijuana and alcohol business. Ignorance has caused the senseless loss of precious lives to alcohol addiction in Guyana.

Sincerely, Dr. Annie Baliram

Wednesday December 30, 2020

300 applicants receive house lots in Berbice

Part of crowd yesterday awaiting their house lots.

Some 300 persons, who were waiting years for their house lot allocations, were yesterday able to breathe a sigh of relief.

They were finally granted house lots under the ‘Dream Realized’ housing drive, held at UG Tain Campus, Berbice.

Attending were the Minster of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues; Regional Chairman, David Armogan; Vice Chairman,

Zamal Hussain and CEO of Central Housing and Planning Authority, Sherwin Greaves.

Minister Croal, during his brief remarks to the hundreds seated stated that yesterday was the “final round” of house lots being distributed and “these are persons who have been waiting a while in the system.”

House lots were allocated in the areas of No. 75 Village, No. 79 Village, Williamsburg/ Hampshire and Ordinance/

Fortlands.

Many of the persons who received their house lots yesterday were among those who have been waiting for 10 years, a number of them even longer.

Both Ministers committed to providing over 50,000 house lots within five years.

Minister Croal said: “We are well on the way to meeting our final task to deliver over 50,000 house lots within the next five years.”

Prison Service explains why 65 inmates released early The Guyana Prison Service has responded to the social media comments that were made about the special remission that was granted for 65 former inmates to be released. According to a press release, there are attempts on social media that are being made by persons to “deliberately misconstrue and to cast aspersion on the act of the Special Remissions granted by the Prison Service.”

The release stated that the Prison Service granted the special remission under the

Prison Act Chapter 11:01, the Laws of Guyana, to inmates who earn the remission based on the time served, good behaviour and rehabilitation.

According to the release, many of the former inmates who were granted the remission had below three months of their sentencing to serve.

Those granted remission include 51 for minor offences, nine for serious offences and five for major offences.

The Prison Service posited that the inmates were selected based on the time

served in prison and are considered to not be of a risk to society. The Prison Service also stated that the remission was delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

House Speaker tests positive for COVID-19 a second time Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, and three other members of his family are in isolation after they were tested positive for COVID. This is the second time that the Speaker is in lockdown.

Back in September, the Speaker had announced that he had tested positive. He had therefore conducted the sittings virtually until he was cleared to return to the House after isolation for several days.

This time around, Kaieteur News understands that Nadir started experiencing symptoms including a headache, mild fever and the loss of taste and decided to stay away from Parliament out of an abundance of caution.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir Tests were subsequently conducted on the Speaker and his family members and it proved positive for him and three of them.

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News understands that Nadir and his family members remain in isolation.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Health announced that they recorded three new COVID19 cases. Regions One, Three and 10 each recorded one new case.

In addition, the Ministry reported that there are seven persons in the Intensive Care Unit; 348 in home isolation and five in institutional isolation.

There are also 17 persons in institutional quarantine.

According to the daily COVID-19 dashboard, 45 persons have also recovered in the past 24 hours taking the total recoveries to 5,777.

Cuban man confesses to killing woman and her daughter Intensely grilled by detectives, Cuban national, Yoel Rodríguez Barrientos, has admitted to the gruesome murder of his girlfriend and her daughter, on Christmas night.

The bloodied bodies of Tara Krishnaran, 34, a wellknown sales girl and her daughter, Larissa Singh, 11, were found on Boxing Day inside their Princess Street, Lodge home.

Their bodies were discovered by Barrientos father-in-law, Yomona Krishnaran, 67, who was reportedly asleep in the same house during the time when they were murdered.

Barrientos reportedly told detectives that he murdered the victims on Christmas night during an altercation.

He allegedly used a hammer to bludgeon Krishnaran to death.

Looking on in horror was her daughter. Kaieteur News was told that Barrientos claimed that he attacked and killed her too because he was fearful that she would testify against him.

Based on evidence obtained by police, Barrientos used a knife to slit the girl’s throat.

Investigators have been able to recover both murder weapons, which he used kill them that night.

Initial investigation had also revealed that blood w a s s e e n o n t h e g i r l ’s privates.

Confirming Barrientos confession with Kaieteur News yesterday, Region 4 Commander Simon McBean said that an autopsy was conducted on their bodies but it was inconclusive as to whether Singh might have been raped prior to her murder.

The autopsy did c o n f i r m , h o w e v e r, t h a t Krishnaran died of blunt trauma to the head while daughter died of both blunt trauma to the head and an incise wound to the neck.

He added that police are now awaiting the Director

Hammered to death: Tara Krishnaran (right) and her daughter, Larissa Singh, whose throat was slit.

Confessed: Cuban national, Yoel Rodríguez Barrientos o f P u b l i c P r o s e c u t o r ’s (DPP) advice to charge Barrientos for the heinous crime.

Barrientos had gotten into an argument and fight with Krishnaran around 17:30hrs on Christmas Day. The f a t h e r- i n - l a w, Yomona Krishnaran, saw them fighting but paid no attention and went to bed.

He told police that it was a

norm for them to fight.

The following day when he awoke and realised that he was locked inside house, he decided to check on them and made the gruesome discovery.

The crime has sparked outrage not only among Guyanese but among the Cuban community in Guyana who fear a backlash.

...Frustrated farmers complain bitterly about From page 2 there be someone to monitor the pumps and sluices on a 24-hour basis, and those recommendations were taken into consideration by the Minister.

The persons who will be monitoring those systems will be given a stipend to do so, the Minister said.

Furthermore, following complaints about the poor drainage and the overgrowth of vegetation, the

Minister instructed NDIA to send in emergency machinery to execute the works, “because they said a number of areas need proper drainage so what we will be doing, in places like Johanna, we will do all the back drains and front drains…and also in Yakusari, because this is an area that normally suffers a lot whenever the rain falls.”

Engineer, Lionel Wordsworth, was also instructed to look at the systems currently in place, “to see

how we can improve it because we can’t continue to have farmers suffering in this way,” the Minister said.

It is expected that within another day or two, the polders will be drained effectively, the Minister said.

Present during the visit also were Vice Chairman, Zamal Hussain; Ministry of Agriculture staffers, and representatives of the other agencies within the Ministry.

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Wednesday December 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

Killer gets 23 years for murder of US citizen for insurance A man who pleaded guilty to being part of a plot that ambushed and brutally murder a United States-based Guyanese citizen back in 2012, has been jailed for 23 years.

Jailed was Pooran Jaundoo, 30, of Lot 57 New Housing Scheme, Belvedere Settlement, Berbice; Second Street, Overwinning, Greater New Amsterdam and Lot 31 Section ‘B’, Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice.

He was accused of murdering Abdool Shakeel Majid, a former New York taxi driver, on April 26, 2012 at Number 63 Beach, Corentyne, Berbice.

He appeared virtually before Justice Brassington Reynolds in the Berbice High Court.

The State’s case was prosecuted by attorney-atlaw, Abigail Gibbs.

State-appointed attorney, Sasha Roberts represented the accused.

Two women, including Majid’s wife, Hemwattie Abdulla called ‘Anita Nazeema Khan’ formerly of Albion, Corentyne, and of Ozone Park, New York, USA, and her accomplice, Surojinie Permaul of Belvedere New Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice, were earlier sentenced to death for the crime.

The virtual hearing was held in the Berbice High Court on Tuesday.

The Probation Report was read by Probation and Social

Jailed for 23 years: Pooran Jaundoo

Killed for insurance: Abdul Majid

Service Officer, Judith Vankeric.

The accused was nabbed in neighbouring Suriname in 2016 by the authorities there.

He was being grilled for a number of crimes, which he committed in the neighbouring country when he confessed to the authorities that he was wanted in Guyana for murder.

Before passing sentence, Justice Reynolds told the accused that he cannot understand his refusal to accept what he did and not being remorseful.

The judge said that the crime was as gruesome and brutal as it could get. Justice Reynolds stated that for such a crime, the sentence is life in prison.

He started from 35 years and deducted five years for the accused early plea; five years for time spent and a further two for other mitigating circumstances.

Majid’s body was found with its scalp missing and other injuries at the Number 56 Village, Corentyne foreshore.

The remains were only identified on May 16, 2012, when an alarmed brother visited Guyana after becoming suspicious of the wife’s behaviour.

Majid had reportedly taken out a million dollar insurance policy (over $200M) in the United States in March 2011. He had also been awarded a hefty settlement after being injured in an accident.

Prosecutor Gibbs told the court that Jaundoo was procured by his mother-inlaw Permaul on the request of Abdulla to rob the decease.

He was promised $100,000. He received US$3,000, which he deposited in an account at the New Building Society.

It was reported that

PNM chairman predicts ‘convincing’ THA election win NEWSDAY - People’s National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council chairman Stanford Callender says the party is ready for the January 25 THA election.

“As chairman of the party, I want to say that the People’s National Movement is ready for the THA election. The machinery is well-oiled and

our candidates are in place.

They are on the ground,” he said yesterday during a news conference at the party’s headquarters, Pumpmill, Scarborough.

“We have put things in place to make sure that come Nomination Day, all our candidates will be nominated as representatives for the

PNM and the people of Tobago.”

The PNM is contesting all 12 electoral districts. The party currently controls ten of the 12 seats in the THA. Describing politics as a numbers game, Callender said the PNM “is poised not only to win the election but to win it convincingly.

...Exxon charges Guyana US$1.6B for From page 3 and its partners, Hess and CNOOC Nexen, are claiming.

He had said that it is overstated by “at least” US$92M, because not all expenditure is recoverable as pre-contract costs. He maintained even in November that he believes ExxonMobil has cheated Guyana on those costs.

Ram’s analysis only accounts for a fraction of the US$1.6 billion Exxon is claiming.

Despite the fact that the bill was handed to Guyana years ago, it was only late last year that the David Granger administration hired a firm to audit Exxon’s costs.

Dr. Jagdeo sees this as a blunder on the part of the former administration, as the contract places a two-year limit on the right to challenge costs.

“The government at that time could have hired a company immediately to audit the pre-contract costs because at the time it was signed, then you only had pre-contract costs.”

He added: “We were in opposition so we could not have done anything to deal with the audit…Had it hired a company in 2016, we would not have had this conversation today. Had it built the capability within the four

years from 2016 to 2020, we would not have had this conversation today.”

Vice President Jagdeo said that what government needs to do is build the capacity to do audits within the specified period. “Not to wait like six years or seven years. And we are busy doing that.”

The current administration, he said, is working to build the capacity of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to conduct cost oil audits, which he said are different from regular audits.

This is expected to be done alongside independent consultants, as Guyana builds its capacity.

Already jailed: Hemwattie Abdulla called ‘Anita Nazeema Khan’ around 07:40hrs on April 27, 2012, the body of a man was found with his scalp missing and other injuries to his body on the Number 56 Village, Corentyne foreshore.

The remains were identified on May 16 by the brother.

After coming to Guyana, he disappeared. His relatives

Already jailed: Surojinie Permaul

did not hear from him again and during the interim, the wife returned to the United States.

The brother, in the meanwhile, had made a missing person report and had informed the NYPD. He was advised to visit Guyana and make a report to the Eve Leary Police Station.

Police was able to crack

the case after the woman, who had returned to the United States after the man went missing, came back to Guyana and reported to the New Amsterdam Police Station to identify her slain husband’s remains.

The sentencing of Jaundoo would bring an end to a brutal case that riveted Guyana.

...APNU/AFC Cabinet approved From page 3 to have received an advance payment of $64.557 million, representing 33.68% of the contract sum, followed by seven interim payments.

As at December 31, 2019, $38.050 million or 59% of the mobilization advance was recovered, with the remaining balance of $26.507 million outstanding, the report stated.

Moreover, the AG pointed out that physical verification by the Audit Office on October 2, 2020 revealed that the works were incomplete and only the contractor’s foreman was present on the site.

“No works were in progress at the time, despite the fact that the revised approved completion date of June 30, 2020 had long expired.

Further, our assessment of the works completed at the time of our verification, revealed that the contractor already received payments for works which are incomplete and in most instances which had not even commenced,” the report said.

Further on, the AG pointed out that according to the Review of Tender Evaluation Report dated November 2017, the Evaluation Committee, which was initially set up to evaluate and recommend a contractor for award of the contract had submitted an Evaluation Report, which was not approved by all three appointed evaluators.

A minority report, he stated, was submitted by one of the evaluators instead.

The AG explained that: “The reasons for the evaluators not approving the report was not stated in the review, while it was noted that the

review was carried out in November 2017, four months after the submission of bids. It is unclear if this review was carried out within the Bid Validity Period, which is normally ninety days. If this period had expired, the works should have been re-tendered.”

Added to that, it was noted in the review that bidder ¹.16 did not provide the necessary NIS compliance.

However, examination of the Minutes of Tender Opening attached to the review, shows that bidder ¹.16 did in fact submit NIS. “It is unclear how the bidder did not have NIS compliance during the evaluation, but had it when the bids were opened,” the AG said in his report.

In response to the Bid Validity Period, the Finance Ministry explained that the date of the second evaluation the bids were still valid.

“The Tender opening for this tender according to Instruction To Bidders (ITB) 18.2 19.1, 19.2 of the Bid Data Sheet was 18 July 2017.

The Review of Tender Evaluation Report is dated November 2017 and signed by the evaluators on 8 November 2017. The number of days between the 18 July 2017 and 8 November 2017 is 114 days.

Therefore, at the date of the second evaluation the bids were still valid,” the Ministry said.

Further on, with regards to the Contractor not submitting his NIS compliance, the Ministry noted that the Minutes of the Tender Opening for this Tender did not record that Tender ¹. 16 submitted

both NIS and GRA Compliances.

It explained that according to the Administrative Compliance, of the second evaluation report, labelled Review of Tender Evaluation Report dated November 2017, “The evaluation committee is in agreement with the evaluation of administrative compliance previously done which shows that Bidders ¹. 1, ¹. 7, ¹.

8 and 16 do not have administrative Compliance...Bidder ¹.

16 did not provide the necessary NIS compliance...”

“Therefore, it can be concluded that since both sets of evaluators (who during conducting their separate evaluations, would have reviewed the actual tenders/documents submitted), concluded that Tender ¹. 16 did not have the necessary NIS compliance, then they must be correct,” the Finance Ministry explained.

With regards to the contract price, the Ministry said it concurred with the observation made, however relayed that “it must be noted that the contract was signed for $191.674 million in accordance with ITB Clause 12.1 as stated in the Bid Document Reference. ¹. NPTAB 1193/ 2017/03.”

With all that said, the Auditor General recommended that the Head of Budget Agency; “(i) desist from certifying valuations for works which have not been completed and (ii) improve in the supervision of works and overall contract administration and (iii) ensure that Bonds and Insurances remain valid for the requisite periods.”

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 30, 2020

Wednesday December 30, 2020

...Romario Shepherd sponsors Under-13 From page 29 Zone, Intermediate and First Division. The board has already secured sponsorship for some of the tournaments including an Under 13, Under 15, Female and a two days first division. The BCB President expressed confidence that the Marketing Committee, headed by himself, would raise funds for all of the projected tournaments and development programmes for 2021.

He reassured Shepherd, who recently scored his 1st first class century against New Zealand “A”, that the tournament would be well organised and would achieve all of its objectives. Shepherd, in brief remarks stated that he was pleased at the state of

Berbice Cricket and was delighted to invest in the development of youths.

He committed himself to assisting in the future.

Former West Indies opener Clayton Lambert received the sponsorship from Shepherd and congratulated him on remembering his roots.

Meanwhile, the proactive cricket Board on Sunday also launched another publication by its former Secretary Mortimer George. The one hundred and sixty nine page magazine was published under the title “Know your Heroes - Berbice Cricket”.

George, who was Secretary between 1975 and 1983, is a prolific writer on Berbice Cricket and has published

several books and magazines including special ones for the BCB 75th and 80th anniversaries in 2014 and 2019. President Foster hailed the publication of the magazine as another red-letter day in the rapid development of Berbice Cricket and expects it to play a major role in educating youth cricketers on the history of Berbice Cricket and its heroes.

Among the Chapters in the magazine are the Magnificent ten, Rising Stars, List of Windies Cricketers, Hall of Fame Inductees, West Indies female cricketers from Berbice, Life Members, Berbice Test Cricketers and featured articles on Rohan Kanhai, Basil B u t c h e r, J o e S o l o m o n ,

Wednesday December 30, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today is a terrific day in which you should find that things work very smoothly.

You have a hardheaded approach that will help you get down to business and get things done.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Finish whatever you didn't wrap up yesterday. Use the morning to plan, the afternoon to execute, and the evening to relax. Be conscious of time and your physical and mental limitations.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) There's a serious tone to the day, Taurus, so take this into account when you get the urge to play a practical joke on a friend. Keep things real.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Give it a rest today. Recharge your batteries. Stick close to home and take a load off your feet. Convince someone to give you a massage, or better yet, go to a professional.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Bring stability to your emotions today, Gemini. You have the tendency to take things to extremes, swinging from incredible highs to rockbottom lows.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Take care of your home today. See that bills are paid, and the bedroom is tidy.

Don't forget to clean the dust from under your bed and the demons from inside your mind.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Go ahead and act confidently, Leo. You will probably find that you're more stable and grounded in general, leaving you free to explore and take more risks than you normally would.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) It may be hard for you to get a project off the ground, Virgo. Perhaps this is a sign that it needs to stay there.

Take it back to the drawing board. Do some more planning and testing.

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Kaieteur News

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Feel free to move forward with your plans. This is a great day to act. You've done a great deal of data collecting and analyzing lately.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may have a hard time getting started today, Capricorn. This might be a better time to plan. Be realistic and thoughtful in your actions.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Bring your emotions down to Earth today, Aquarius.

Your imagination may run away with you. If you don't take a hard look at reality, you may find yourself in big trouble later.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Try not to be extravagant today. You're much better off lying low. Focus on you and what you need to do. Don't waste your time trying to attract others' attention. Let them deal with themselves while you concentrate on your goals and chores.

Leslie Amsterdam, Lennox Phillips, Ancel Hazel, John Trim, Alvin Kallicharran and Duncan Stuart. The President expressed gratitude to George for his investment into Berbice Cricket and urged him to continue doing so as it was important for the history of the game in Berbice to be recorded for future generations.

...BCB and RHTYSC, MS From page 31 international cricket, was recognised for been the top bowler at the regional level in 2020, while Bramble was honoured for been the top wicketkeeper for Guyana at the first-class level.

Shepherd was recognised for scoring his 1st First class century and Hetmyer received a special award for being an outstanding ambassador of Berbice Cricket. Smith and Sinclair were also honoured for making their first-class debut during 2020. Foster congratulated the awardees for being good representatives of Berbice and for continuing the rich tradition of Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher and Alvin Kallicharran. Each one of the awardees received a trophy and medal. Former West Indies player Clayton Lambert handed over the awards on behalf of the board. Brian Ramphal is a long standing sponsor of the BCB, who lives in the United States and is an investor in the Tech Industry. Over the last three years, he has invested over two million dollars in the development of Berbice cricket.

...West Indies name Test and ODI squads for tour of From page 29 Kraigg Brathwaite (captain) Jermaine Blackwood (vicecaptain) Nkrumah Bonner John Campbell Rahkeem Cornwall Joshua Da Silva Shannon Gabriel Kavem Hodge Alzarri Joseph Kyle Mayers Shayne Moseley Veerasammy Permaul Kemar Roach Raymon Reifer Jomel Warrican West Indies ODI Squad Jason Mohammed (captain) Sunil Ambris (vice-captain) Nkrumah Bonner Joshua Da Silva Jahmar Hamilton Chemar Holder Akeal Hosein Alzarri Joseph

Kyle Mayers Andre McCarthy Kjorn Ottley Rovman Powell Raymon Reifer Romario Shepherd Hayden Walsh jr FULL TOUR SCHEDULE January 10: West Indies arrive January 18: One-day warm-up match, BKSP, Savar January 20: 1st ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka January 22: 2nd ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka January 25: 3rd ODI, ZACS, Chattogram January 28-31: Four-day warm-up, M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chattogram February 3-7: 1st Test Match, ZACS, Chattogram February 11-15: 2nd Test Match, SBNCS, Dhaka

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 30, 2020

PAGE 29

Ajinkya Rahane’s India wrap up famous victory ESPNcricinfo - Bowled out for 36. Virat Kohli goes home. Mohammed Shami out of the tour. Umesh Yadav limps from the attack.

India had to overcome so much that their victory at the MCG, achieved midway through the fourth day by eight wickets, will forever have a part in their cricket folklore. Whether it is part of something even greater will depend on the next three weeks, but for now they can reflect on one of the great bounceback victories.

The early loss of two wickets will have left India grateful - and Australia rueful - that the target wasn’t in three-figures, but it never threatened to be become nervy and fittingly it was Ajinkya Rahane who secured the winning run. It is three wins in three Tests as captain for him and rarely can a team have gone from such a low to such a high in such a short period time.

Australia’s lower order made them work for the final

four wickets during the morning session but they could never break free of the stranglehold on their scoring, so by the time R Ashwin wrapped up the innings on the stroke of a delayed lunch the lead stood at only 69. The final tally of 200 in 103.1 overs was their slowest Test innings on home soil since 1986 and they managed just 10 boundaries and this was the first home Test since 1988, against West Indies also at the MCG, where they did not manage an individual halfcentury.

The ghosts of 36 were just about looming, but it would have needed a miracle. Still, when the struggling Mayank Agarwal edged a big drive off Mitchell Starc and Cheteshwar Pujara got a flatfoot outside edge to gully it momentarily lifted the occasion. While not having a bearing on this match, it was the third time in four innings that Pat Cummins had

removed Pujara.

A brace of boundaries by Shubman Gill, who played another attractive innings, chipped into the target and there was a dismissiveness in the on-the-up drive played

by Rahane, the prime architect of India’s victory, against Josh Hazlewood as the target grew near followed by a pull from Gill off the same bowler.

Australia had resumed just two runs ahead and while Cummins and Cameron Green survived until the second new ball the scoreboard went nowhere 16 runs in the 14 overs. The harder ball then provided the breakthrough when Jasprit Bumrah bounced out Cummins although the fact India did not race through the rest of the batting went on to h i g h l i g h t A u s t r a l i a ’s problems higher up the order.

Green played very well, looking as assured as any of the top order had in the innings, defending with a

Ajinkya Rahane and Shubman Gill embrace after India’s win, Australia v India, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 4th day, December 29, 2020 ©Getty Images solid front foot stride and occasionally showing his strokeplay.

A first Test fifty was looming when he was cramped for room by a short delivery from Mohammed Siraj, splicing a pull to midwicket, which removed the last realistic chance of Australia setting a target to really challenge India.

Starc thought he was caught at slip on 9, so much so that he was two thirds of way to the rope having forlornly reviewed when the DRS showed he had hit his boot as the ball ballooned off the pad, but Nathan Lyon gloved down the leg side a few moments later to leave Australia nine down. Lunch was delayed as the final pair

clung on before Hazlewood was finally befuddled by Ashwin when he left a delivery that clipped off stump.

Scores: India 326 (Rahane 112, Jadeja 57, Lyon 3-72, Starc 3-78) and 70 for 2 beat Australia 195 (Bumrah 4-56) and 200 (Green 45, Siraj 3-37) by eight wickets.

GFF, K and S, MCYS Bounce Back Football Classic

Benjamin double propels Linden All Star; Mc Arthur brace sends GT All Star through

By Zaheer Mohamed Linden All Star and Georgetown All Star have secured their places in the final of the Guyana Football Federation/Kashif and Shanghai and Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports (MCYS) Bounce Back football classic following victories in their respective matches last night last at the Guyana National Stadium.

Linden All Star defeated East Coast All Star 4-2, while Georgetown All Star beat West Side All Star 3-2 as football made an exciting return following a hiatus of some nine months.

East Coast All Star started off in an attacking mode and dominated the

opening exchanges but they were denied on several occasions by Linden All Star’s defence.

As East Coast All Star continued to attack, Linden All Star back four withstood their threat; Omari Glasgow saw a decent effort turned away after working his way into the box before his team mate Sharmar Scott hit the cross bar from just outside the area. Abumuchi Benjamin had a wonderful chance to put Linden All Star ahead but sent his shot wide with only goalkeeper Shawn Adonis to beat from inside the 18 yard box. Glasgow wasted a similar opportunity moments later as the game gathered momentum.

Jamar Harrigan (right) and Omari Glasgow East Coast All Stars scorers.

However, it was the boys from the mining town who went ahead in the 34th minute when Curtez Kellman fired home from the right side of the box, beating an advancing Adonis.

Shortly after, Glasgow had a shot saved from inside the box before Linden All Stars stretched their advantage in the 41st minute.

Benjamin collected a pass from Pernell Schultz and worked his way inside the area before smartly tapping home as Linden All Stars went the break with a 2-0 lead.

Linden All Stars increased their pace and could have gone further ahead just minutes into the second half, but Denzil Fordyce sent his shot wide with only the goalie to beat, while Kellman was denied from close range.

East Coast All Stars drew one back when Glasgow found the back of the net from inside the box following a buildup in the 52nd minute.

Jermaine Junior netted Linden All Stars’ third in the 53rd minute after he collected a pass from Schultz on the right side of the box.

Benjamin netted his second four minutes later following a pass from Denzil Fordyce from inside the area.

East Coast won a penalty and Jamar Harrigan made no mistake from the spot as the contest ended 4-2 in favour of the boys from the Mining Town.

Georgetown All Star took an early lead when Nicholas McArthur slotted home in the 2nd minute after receiving a pass from the left side of the box. West Side All Stars’ Trayon Bobb wasted a decent chance to draw his team level, but sent his shot wide moments later.

Kelsey Benjamin had a close range shot saved before Quessey Alleyne of West Side All Star saw his penalty kept out by Alex Murray.

Georgetown All Star were awarded a penalty after Nicholas McArthur was brought down just on the edge of the area, but Ryan Hackett’s shot was well saved.

West Side drew level when Sheldon Holder slotted home following a floated ball from the left side of the area in the 45th minute.

West Side All Star went

Nicholas McArthur (right) and Daniel Wilson - Georgetown All Stars goal scorers. ahead in the 58th minute when Bobb found the back of the net from the inside the area before Georgetown All Star equalized in the 64th minute as McArthur netted his second.

Daniel Wilson handed Georgetown All Star the lead in the 81st minute as he sent

his free kick in the back of the net from the left side of the area.

The final will be played on Friday at 18:00hrs at the same venue and will be broadcast live on several social and other media platforms including NCN Television and ENetworks.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Wednesday December 30, 2020

RHTYSC, MS completes largest ever Christmas Outreach Programme - Christmas Village described as smashing success

RHTYSC Sohan Harry makes donation to the Port Mourant Public Hospital.

Donation of toys to the Camal Children Home.

T

he 30th annual Christmas O u t r e a c h Programme of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS which concluded on Boxing Day has been described as the largest of its kind for the club. The Programme’s, which started on the first of September, main objective was to make a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate.

The sixth annual Rose Hall Town Christmas Village was hosted from the 22nd to 24th of December in the compound of the Rose Hall Primary School and was described by the Management of the club as a smashing success.

Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that every member of the Club’s management and ten cricket teams worked beyond the call of duty to make the events a success. The ten teams were responsible for

the outreach programme.

The teams achieved all of their objectives with the distributions of one thousand food hampers, five thousand Christmas toys, five hundred special Christmas packages, three hundred Christmas breakfasts, while s c h o o l b a g s , f o o t w e a r, clothing and educational materials were shared out as well.

Foster expressed satisfaction at the overall success of the programme which was well supported by local and overseas based friends of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation. The teams supported a wide range of churches, NGO’s and cricket clubs with donations of special Christmas gifts, toys, educational materials and food hampers.

Among the churches who benefitted were the St. Francis Roman Catholic Church, St. Agnes Anglican Church, Rose Hall Town We s l e y a n C h u r c h , Maranatha Faith Ministries,

RHT Kali Temple, Deeper Life Assembly, Elohim Adventist, Living Water A s s e m b l y, w h i l e t h e Blairmont, Achievers, Paradise, Rose Hall Canje, Edinburgh, Port Mourant, Whim, Albion, Tucber Park and Bush Lot Rising Star cricket clubs were among 25 clubs to receive food hampers.

Non- Governmental Organisation that also benefitted included Dream for Kids, Little Angel Feeding Programme, while the Berbice Police Force B Division, Williamsburg Health Centre, Port Mourant Hospital, Alpha Children Home, Canaan Orphanage, Camal Children Home, Berbice River Cricket Association also received donations. The St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church received a financial contribution along with food hampers and toys, while club members also received a Christmas breakfast and a special Christmas package.

Fitness Assessment & Practice matches set by CGI

A

s Cricket G u y a n a Incorporated (CGI) prepares to bowl off cricket activities in early January 2021, the Guyana Jaguars will lead the way with fitness assessment activities to be conducted on Monday 4 January 2021 at the LBI ground.

The fitness assessment

will be for contracted franchise players, as well as potential Academy players.

The assessment of the potential academy players is essential, since CGI intends to contract players for the remainder of the 2020/2021 Regional Cricket Season.

Further, in preparation for the Guyana Jaguars participation in the CWI CG

Insurance Super 50 Tournament which will be held in the month of February 2021, the CGI franchise players will first be engaged in three practice matches at the LBI ground from 0900 hours, on Friday 8 January 2021, Sunday 10 January 2021 and Tuesday 12 January 2021.

The ten teams also cosponsored a female football tournament on the East Bank of Demerara and donated Christmas gifts to the St. Agnes Anglican Church. All members of the club received a food hamper, while several players received cricket gears to assist in their development.

The teams also fulfilled the wishes of dozens of less fortunate kids, who specially requested toys and also made special donations to the children of the No65 Squatting area.

Meanwhile, hundreds of families visited the sixth annual Christmas Village and enjoyed a once in a lifetime experience. The village was held under very Strict Covid-19 guidelines and received permission from the National COVID19 Task Force. The main attraction at the 2020 Christmas Village included the Navity Scene, 20 Feet

Christmas Tree, Christmas Chimney, Christmas Star, Children Toy Houses, The Nero’s Sisters Children Home, Family Bridge, numerous inflatable Christmas Characters and Children Games.

The teams handed out holiday bags and educational materials to children on the first two nights of the village, which over the last six years, has developed into Berbice’s most popular Christmas event.

RHTYSC Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu expressed gratitude to the numerous individuals and companies who supported the Outreach Programme and Christmas Village. They include KSM Investment, Ministry of

Natural Resources, Farfan and Mendes Ltd, Namilco, DDL, Panthera’s Solutions, De Sinco Trading, Bounty Farm Ltd, Office of the Prime Minister, Toucan Industries, GNNL, Nand Persaud Co. Ltd, Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh, Dr. Puran Singh, HA Snacks, The Gift Centre, John Lewis Styles, Andana Homes, Lomenzao Johnny family among others.

Among the cricketers of the RHTYSC, MS are Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Kevin Sinclair, Clinton Pestano, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Erva Giddings, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Jonathan Rampersaud and Delbert Hicks.

Competitive football is back and long standing benefactor, Mohamed’s Enterprises, is thrilled

M

anaging Director of the c o m p a n y, M o h a m e d ’s Enterprise, Nazar Mohamed said yesterday that he is “certainly happy to see the sport is back.”

Mohamed who presented a sponsorship cheque to President of the GFF, Wayne Forde to aid in the ‘Bounce Back’ tournament, which got underway, last night, also commended the principals for staging the event.

“I am happy that the Minister of Sport, the GFF and the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation have taken this initiative and I am happy to be a part of this competition.”

The business magnate pointed out that he has been sponsoring sports events for the better part of three decades and highlighted that sport is a very important part of bringing people together. He wished the tournament, the players and the organizers success and

wished them a Happy New Year.

Meanwhile, The ‘Bounce Back’ tournament kicked off yesterday at the National Stadium with Linden All Stars tackling the East Coast All Stars in the curtain raiser of the double header.

The GT All Stars also took on the Westside All Stars in the headliner of the first football tournament staged here amid the pandemic.

The two-day, four-team competition is a collaborative effort involving The Guyana Football Federation, the Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Organization along with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

It will be held without spectators and conclude on January 1, 2021.

The two final teams will play on New Year’s Day which will be broadcasted live on NCN, E-Networks and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Facebook page.

Wednesday December 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 31

Romario Shepherd West Indies name Test and ODI squads sponsors Under-13 for tour of Bangladesh - 12 players opt out of tour tournament for BCB - Board launches another Mortimer George book on Berbice Cricket Romario Shepherd hands over sponsorship to Clayton Lambert.

“You are a gem of Berbice Cricket, a positive role model and it is a good feeling for all of us at the Berbice Cricket Board when our players who we have invested so much in, pays it forwards”. Those were the words of BCB President Hilbert Foster to West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who last Sunday came on board as an office sponsor of Berbice Cricket.

The Tucber Park all-rounder joins his fellow West Indies teammate Shimron Hetmyer as sponsors of a Berbice Cricket tournament.

Hetmyer sponsors the Berbice Intermediate tournament, while Shepherd would now sponsor an Under-13 tournament.

Foster had approached the tall medium pacer for the sponsorship during the West Indies tour to New Zealand and the player readily agreed to the request. The tournament which would start in the first quarter of 2021 is expected to attract about twelve teams with the

cut off date of birth been 2008-09-01. The players have to been attending school and teams would be expected to provide proof of their date of birth when required. Only Berbicians would be allowed to play in the tournament. Clubs have until the end of February to inform the BCB Competitions Committee about their participation.

BCB Competition Committee Chairman Leslie Solomon disclosed that teams who play overaged players would be disqualified from the tournament and faces a stiff fine. All players are expected to be uniformed in white.

Teams would be divided into two zones with the top two in each zone advancing to the semi-final.

Foster stated that the BCB intends to host a minimum of thirty cricket tournaments in 2021 at the different levels - Under 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, Female, Second Division, Internal (Continued on page 25)

BCB Secretary Angela Haniff presents Clayton Lambert with the first copy of Mortimer George book “Know Your Heroes”.

CWI - The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel yesterday named the West Indies Test and OneDay International (ODI) squads for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh. West Indies are scheduled to play three ODIs and two Tests in Chattogram and Dhaka. The West Indies touring party are due to arrive in Dhaka on January 10 and the series will run until February 15.

The two Test Matches will form part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) World Test Championship, and the three ODIs are the first matches in West Indies ICC World Cup Super League campaign with the opportunity to qualify for the ICC World Cup 2023.

The following players declined the opportunity to tour due to COVID-19 related concerns or personal fears: Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran. Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich are unavailable due to personal reasons.

The CWI COVID-19 policy allows any player to opt out of selection for an overseas tour, only when based on the player’s own safety fears or concerns.

Such decisions will not impact their consideration

Jason Mohammed

for future selection.

The Test squad will be led by the experienced Kraigg Brathwaite, with Jermaine Blackwood as vice-captain. Former Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies A team captain, Jason Mohammed, will lead the ODI team with Sunil Ambris as vice-captain.

Kavem Hodge, the righthanded top-order batsman, has earned a maiden call-up in the Test squad; while lefthanded opener Shayne

Moseley and all-rounder Kyle Mayers will be touring in the Test squad for the first time, after making trips to England and New Zealand as reserves this year. Mayers made his T20I debut against New Zealand last month.

Two players have earned their first call-ups for the ODI squad — Akeal Hosein, a left-arm spinner allrounder; and Kjorn Ottley, a left-handed top-order batsman.

Roger Harper, CWI’s

Lead Selector, said: “Kavem Hodge will be on his first tour with the team. He has been around for a few years and has made a case for himself and he now gets his chance. The fact that he also bowls left arm spin has certainly helped his cause.

We also have Kyle Mayers and Shayne Moseley, who have both toured with the team to England and New Zealand as reserves, being selected in the Test Squad for the first time. Moseley coming off successful ‘A Te a m ’ g a m e s i n N e w Zealand and Mayers who has performed well in each of the CWI regional tournaments and also the CPL, over the last year.”

Harper added: “The absence of several more experienced players has certainly provided an opportunity for the lefthanded Kjorn Ottley who has had a good Super50 tournament last year. He will be very keen to make his mark. Tours of Bangladesh are never easy as they always play well in their own conditions. Although a number of the senior players are missing in both formats, I expect our teams to be very competitive. I expect our players to play with purpose, with passion and with the desire to prove that they belong at this level.”

West Indies Test Squad (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Wednesday December 30, 2020

Brain Ramphal Awards Programme

BCB President calls on executives to rededicate themselves - unveils massive 2021 list of programmes President of the Berbice Cricket Board Hilbert Foster on Sunday last urged his fellow executives to rededicate themselves to the task of taking Berbice Cricket to another level. The plea was made during remarks at a special BCB/Brian Ramphal Awards Programme to honour former West Indies opener Clayton Lambert and several other Berbice senior players.

Foster praised the support he has received from his executives but noted that much more work remained to be done and that it would require a collective team work. He warned that there would be no place for laziness and executives must perform to their best once they accept the position.

Foster who took over a cricket board in turmoil, told the attentive gathering that over the last two years much has been achieved, but more

BCB Executives poses after the Awards with former Berbice Opener Clayton Lambert. work has to be done in the future. He used the opportunity to unveil his administration’s plans for 2021.

Among them is the hosting of thirty cricket tournaments at the Under 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and also an internal Zone, Intermediate, Double Wicket, Schools,

female and first division levels. The tournaments would include the historic Semi-Professional League, two days first division, along with a 20/20 and 40 overs tournament in each of the five sub zones - Berbice River, Upper Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower/ Central Corentyne

and West Berbice. Special emphasis would also be placed on coaching across the county especially one on one sessions with some of the most talented junior players.

Two hundred youths would benefit from donations of cricket gears, bicycles, cricket uniforms, and educational materials, while two more University of Guyana scholarship would be offered to cricketers.

The BCB would also be working to obtain a wide array of coaching equipment, a grass cutter and upgrading its New Amsterdam office even more. Every functioning cricket club would receive cricket balls, the Berbice Cricket Academy would be hosted in July, while smaller

ones would be held in Upper Corentyne (Scottsburg) and West Berbice (Bush lot).

Other major plans include the continuation of the Financial Scheme for Yo u t h / f e m a l e n a t i o n a l players, inter county cap system, inter county MVP programme and inter county Man of the Match System. A forty-page magazine highlighting the top forty Berbice players would be published, the board would be working along with the Ministry of Sports to improve some of the cricket grounds in the county, while an indoor practice centre would be built in Region five. The BCB expects to work along with the Ministry of Labour to hosts skills training sessions for school dropout cricketers and also work together in a massive

Say No to Child Labour/Child Abuse programme for Berbicians.

Foster expressed confidence that Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jnr would fulfill his promise to assist the BCB with two full time coaches and provide sponsorship for some cricket tournaments.

Foster stated that more developmental plans would be disclosed in the future as sponsorship is secured. One of the BCB main objectives in 2021 would be to reduce administrative expenses by obtaining major sponsorships for internet access, a photocopier for the office, meals for finals, trophies for finals and medals, while solar lights would be installed at the board office to cut down on electric bills.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 30, 2020

BCB and RHTYSC, MS presents Clayton Lambert also honours six other national players including Hetmyer, Shepherd and Permaul with their highest award - Board “You are our hero as you have always represented our county, country and the West Indies with pride, passion and commitment. Every young cricketer in the county should take a page out of your book and strive to follow in your footstep. We at the Berbice Cricket Board are very proud to honour you for your service and your contribution to the development of the game,� stated Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster as the Board presented former Berbice, Guyana and West Indies player Clayton Lambert with its highest award, the Tribute to Heroes under the annual Brian Ramphal Awards Programme.

Lambert also received

the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS highest award, the Dolphin Award of Excellence during a moving tribute programme held at the BCB, Charlotte Street Office in New Amsterdam.

Lambert, for over fifteen years was the mainstay of the batting lineup for Berbice at the inter county level and is considered the second-best opening batsman for Guyana after the late Roy Clinton Fredericks. He played five test matches for the West Indies, scoring 284 runs at an average of 31.56 with a single century 104 versus England. Lambert also played eleven One Day Internationals scoring 368 runs at an average of 33.45 with a highest score of 119 versus England. The burly

built opener also scored over 8000 first class runs with a top score of 263 not out versus Winward Islands at Skeldon. He retired from first class cricket in 1999 before migrating to the United States of America, where he represented that country at the international level for a brief period at the age of forty two years.

Foster, whose administration strongly believes in honouring the heroes of Berbice Cricket, stated that the Tribute to Heroes award is the highest one in the Ancient County and is especially reserved for persons who excelled on the cricket field and those who served beyond the call of duty as administrators and umpires. Foster urged

Clayton Lambert poses with some of the other awardees including Veersammy Permaul and Romario Shepherd.

Lambert to share his vast experience with the younger players and expressed gratitude to him for his investment into Berbice Cricket.

Lambert recently obtained $1.5M worth of cricket gears for the BCB youth development programme.

Lambert in a heartfelt speech, stated, that he felt humbled to receive the

PAGE 33

BCB Vice President Albert Smith hands over the Tribute to Heroes Award to Clayton Lambert.

award. He hailed the outstanding work of the Foster led administration and committed himself to assisting more in the future.

Other awardees of the Tribute to Heroes in the past included Carl Moore, Basil Butcher, Mortimer George, Malcolm Peters, Joe Solomon, Leslaine Lambert, Roy Baijnauth, Ancel Hazel and Lennox Phillips.

Lambert received trophies,

medals, gifts and a special Christmas cake from the BCB and RHTYSC, MS. Meanwhile, the BCB also honoured national p l a y e r s Ve e r s a m m y Permaul, Anthony Bramble, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith and Romario Shepherd under the Brian Ramphal Awards Programme. Permaul, who is eying a return to the (Continued on page 25)

GFF, K and S, MCYS Bounce Back Football Classic rt Spo

Benjamin double propels Linden All Star; Mc Arthur brace sends GT All Star through

Jermain Junor Right), Abumuchi Benjamin and Curtez Kellman - Linden All Stars goalscorers.

West Indies name Test and ODI squads for tour of Bangladesh - 12 players opt out of tour

Kraigg Brathwaite

Football made a grand return to the Guyana National Stadium yesterday with the GFF, MCYS, K&S Bounce Back tournament.

Competitive football is back and long standing benefactor, Mohamed’s Enterprises, is thrilled

Nazar Mohamed (centre) presents the support to GFF president Wayne Forde in the presence of Aubrey Shanghai Major.

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