K
Guyana’s take of profit NEWS oil should be higher if it pays oil companies’ income taxes - IMF
Monday Edition
AIETEUR
February 03, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 05
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
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Key document held by Sir Shridath Ramphal, not attached to Exxon Bridging Deed leaked to media Advisor to Foreign Affairs Ministry, Sir Shridath Ramphal
Respect each other’s choices ! PPP and Coalition supporters
Thief struck down by car after snatching woman’s purse Any contract can be renegotiated - GRA Boss Statia Minister Annette Ferguson takes political campaign to funeral - calls dead ‘party comrade’ by wrong name
Disclosure is key to keeping corruption at t r e p x E bay in the oil industry -
Monday February 03, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Key document held by Sir Shridath Ramphal, not attached to Exxon Bridging Deed leaked to media Kaieteur News has finally managed to secure a copy of the long sought after Bridging Deed. The purpose of the Deed is to re-ignite ExxonMobil’s expired agreement with Government for its operations on the Stabroek Block. But all has not been disclosed. The Deed mentions an ‘Escrow Agent’ who is meant to hold an ‘Escrow Letter’ and other documents. While supporting documents accompany the Deed, the Escrow Letter is not attached. According to the Deed, ‘Escrow Agent’ refers to Sir Shridath Ramphal of [address withheld] or any replacement pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Letter. No replacement has been indicated by the Deed. The ‘Escrow Letter’, according to the Deed, “means the escrow letter dated the same date as this Deed from the Escrow Agent to the Parties setting out the terms of the escrow arrangement, whereby the Escrow Agent agrees to hold the
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman Documents on behalf of the Parties subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions”. Other terms are listed in the Deed without a definition,
save to say that they have been defined in the mysterious Escrow Letter. Those include ‘completion date’, ‘Contractor Parties’ Confirmation Notice’,
Advisor to Foreign Affairs Ministry, Sir Shridath Ramphal (left) and Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge. ‘Escrow Termination Date’, and ‘Minister’s Confirmation Notice’. While the Deed sets out a bridging process in detail, these missing definitions
Minister Annette Ferguson takes political...
Drunk labourer on the run after killing twin brother
From page 2 have done, you have seen the many changes, not only in your life, not only in your community but by extension, this entire nation.” Ferguson then told the mourners: “The provision of boats in the Pomeroon River to get our children to and from school speaks volumes of a government that cares; a President that cares, because this is where the initiative was birthed.” In her closing, Ferguson urged the gathering to “vote for APNU and AFC.” The video garnered over six hundred comments and shares with persons expressing their disgust. Many of the viewers stated that a funeral was not the place to be in campaign mode. But in a brief response to Kaieteur News regarding these sentiments, Minister Ferguson said that she attended the funeral since the deceased was a staunch supporter of the APNU/AFC government. Insisting that her actions were not inappropriate, the Minister stated that she uses the opportunity to root for her party wherever she goes. According to her, family members were in no way upset at her comments.
A 44-year-old man is on the run after killing his twin during a drunken argument yesterday at Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara. Police identified the slain man as Winford Jacob, of Bonking Sand Road Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara and Blueberry Hill, Linden. The suspect, Kennedy Jacob, also 44, is from Blueberry Hill, Linden. Police said that the two brothers and the victim’s wife had been drinking at a Soesdyke bar, but left for home at around 2:30 hrs. During the journey, Winford Jacob, the suspect, and his twin got into an argument over Winford’s constant abuse of his sibling’s sister-in-law. A fight ensued, during which Winford allegedly attacked his brother with a bottle. In retaliation, the suspect, who had a knife, allegedly stabbed his brother to the right armpit and upper chest. He then fled towards the Soesdyke Linden Highway. The mortally wounded brother was later found lying face-down on the southern parapet of the Soesdyke public road. He was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body is presently at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting an autopsy..
leave blind spots in public understanding of how Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, went about trying to breathe life into what Christopher Ram referred to as a dead agreement. In a recent column in the Stabroek News, Ram wrote of the Escrow Letter, alleging that it is a “closely guarded secret”. “It is unclear whether Sir Shridath Ramphal performed any other functions in connection with the Bridging Deed or the Petroleum Agreement and how he was compensated, but if he was paid by the Government of Guyana, it is hoped that in the cause of transparency, particulars of that arrangement will be shared
with the Guyanese public,” Ram wrote. Notably, Ramphal, Trotman and Foreign Secretary Carl Greendige are the three people identified by Former Presidential Advisor, Dr. Jan Mangal as those who strongly opposed the publication of the Stabroek Block Petroleum Agreement and the US$18M signing bonus Guyana got from ExxonMobil when it inked the 2016 contract. Greenidge has since said that he did not oppose publication, though there is a December 2017 Stabroek News report of him, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, saying the opposite. Trotman and Ramphal have not responded to Mangal’s statement.
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Monday February 03, 2020
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Putin, Trump, Maduro and Guyana (guess who)
G
uyanese have flourished through purposeful failure to recognize the bigger picture(s) of the nuanced and intricate world inhabited. We have done that with our border dispute and steeply discount the nexuses among oil presence, oil access, and oil security. Instead, the clamoring, insistent foci have been on money, percentages, and returns. Those are powerful and energizing, but there is failure to factor in those other relationships and circumstances that leave us vulnerable to manipulation. Today we use oil for context and comparison only, since the emphasis at this time is on industrial relations, and the pincers that narrow inexorably on this country, its workers, its peoples, and its prospects. It is also about the convergence of far-flung ideological, economic, and big power blocs in an area, which tests strength and endurance of world powers. Venezuela is the test case. The United States has surrendered valuable ground, as the Wall Street Journal acknowledged in an article on January 27titled, “How Putin outfoxed Trump in Venezuela.” The article’s subtitle lamented that the, “Trump administration underestimated how much support President Nicholas Maduro would receive from Russia and Cuba, as well as from US allies.”And further, “the Trump administration, confident that Mr. Maduro would fall, didn’t foresee Russia leading the way for other countries to eclipse the sanctions.” Sanction busting stands as counterstrike in the new power confrontations. Russia now handles “more than two-thirds of Venezuela’s crude oil” while another half billion of crude was purchased by a firm from India (a US ally), which is part of a joint venture with Russian giant, Rosneft. But this is more than about Venezuela and oil, for it is about the United States and Russia squaring off and the Russians emerging ahead, because of the single-minded visions of the resourceful Russian leader. Mr. Putin has proven to be wiser than his American counterpart, as developments in Venezuela confirm that Mr. Maduro’s star ascends, while Senor Guaido’s fade. That triumph of the man from Moscow in Caracas, as capably backed by his cohorts from Cuba and China, is ominous for Guyanese. As said earlier, there is oil, and then there is more. There is, for one heavy example, the agitations and machinations of Rusal in bauxite territory. It is about industrial relations and workers, but that’s only half of it. The timing and the fierce confrontational posture of the Russians-based Rusal speaks to flexing of muscles, testing the waters, and pushing the local political envelope. The government has limited itself to reacting and operating within permissible channels. That is, amidst the hard lines drawn, the state has been calm and measured. But it must be troubled over the provocative steps and responses of Rusal in its inflaming clashes with Guyanese workers. Clearly, the company’s actions appear to be disproportionate to the situation. It appears it is determined to approach the charged issues in a bullheaded manner. When the ideological, individual, and political links between some powerful campaigners in this country and Russian leadership are recalled, some pieces fall into place regarding the heavy-handed and hardheaded approach adopted by Rusal. This is more than company and worker conflict, it has picked up subtle political undertones along the way, which are sure to be distanced from and denied. If Guyanese are smart, they should recognize that subtle squeezes are applied on government. Similarly, the word in level-headed governmental circles is that Chinese originated Bosai is also exhibiting some discomforting signs of restlessness, which leads to guarded uneasiness in state leadership. As the Americans can testify abundantly, the nexus and noose of the Sino-
Guyana’s offshore: Facts, Risks and Challenges DEAR EDITOR, In 2015 ExxonMobil struck oil in 2 out of 3 exploratory wells in Liza prospect, offshore Guyana, Stabroek block. Appraisal work has placed Liza asset under an estimate of 450 MMBOE to 1.200 MMBOE range recoverable resources. Although much smaller, additional volume was found later during 2017 in the Payara prospect, propelling total reserves expectation towards 1.400 MMBOE. Exxon and the Guyana government claim 15 additions in total, including the latest Tilapia, Haimara, and Yellowtail prospects further south-southeast within the same block, for a total of nearly 8.000 MMBOE of recoverable resources in place, as per latest information. Important to understand, that these are recoverable resource base; not commercially recoverable reserves as such yet. Establishing the difference between resource and reserve is critical to understand the real potential for the assets. While resources refer to an estimate of the amount of hydrocarbon that “might” be technically recovered if production were not “constrained by economics”, reserves refer to an estimate of the amount of hydrocarbon that “can technically and eco-
nomically” be expected to be produced. In any case, estimates of reserves will develop, decrease or improve with increasing exploration, appraisal and/or development drilling. Normally, resource estimates are larger than reserves estimates in at least one 1/3 to ½ of the initial figures as rule of thumb. Facts: Promises forecasting production increase from Guyana offshore assets have been made since 2015, with the discovery of “Liza and Payara” fields. The plan, according to Guyanese authorities comprises for Phase 1 Liza prospects, a 2020 yearend production of 120.000 B/D, with preliminary breakeven margin of $35 per barrel. For phase II a peak production of 180.000 to 200.000 B/D has been sanctioned for 2022, with a $25 per barrel breakeven margin (preliminary). As per corporate press releases, Exxon expects to produce at a maximum output of 750.000 BPD in the mid to long term. Unfortunately even before the first drop of oil was actually produced, local government seems to be already committed to pay, somewhere between $850 to $950 million to Exxon in pre-contract costs. For the small Guyanese economy, whose 2018 GDP was just a little over $3.000 million, it means a sizable
30+% load exposure. Exxon claims production was actually initiated on December 20, 2019. The first crude oil cargo of nearly 975.000 barrels was shipped on January 19th, whereas the second is scheduled by the end of January in a similar volume. Assuming all 8 producers are active, per well outflow has reached nearly 8.000 BPD, still far from expected 15.000 B/D per well originally planned. Unless the 120.000 B/D plateau is reached during 2020, monetization of Guyana’s proven oil and gas reserves will not be likely for the short term. Considering the investment plan with over $4 to $6 billion in CAPEX, and the financial expectations of agreed 2% royalty over the whole extracted volume of crude oil, plus a 50% of the 25% cut remaining after a gigantic 75% Exxon take supposedly assigned to cost recovery, the Net Present Value for the project won’t be positive for Guyana in the near term, but beyond the 7th to 8th year, only under the assumption of 100% success rate, which is seldom the case for most; if not all green (immature) projects. The most likely scenario is that reserves are ending around 3 to 4 billion equivalent barrels and stabilized per well production sets around
6 to 8 MBD, placing total output for Liza phase I to a maximum of 64.000 BOED. If this was the case, total net present value for the project could be exposing around $6 billion, propping the breakeven point beyond the 10 year window for Guyana. Regarding the gas reserves, field development plan for Liza phase I calls for a portion of the produced gas, to be recycled for pressure maintenance purposes. No official information has been given about how the government of Guyana will be compensated for the produced and/or reutilized gas. Initial figures suggests that at likely output the value of the produced gas alone would be around $550.000 per day, whereas at full production (120.000 B/D) the value could be above $1.000.000 per day, both at current gas price (Henry Hub). Risks and Challenges: A number of production and operation challenges and risks are expected during start up and normal operations for these very sensitive assets. The offshore Stabroek project has lots of intangibles which could easily turn the value into read, plus the economics have lot of preliminary assumptions with not firm technical basis to support it. Without accounting for the (Continued on page 6)
Kobe’s death reminds us once again of our Earthly I kept waiting for a lationship with Kobe. My dis- ships; was an 18-time All-Star, transience right. punchline. Sadly one that appointment with his 15-time member of the AllDEAR EDITOR, It was snowing heavily in Montreal when I got the call. Kobe is dead? Died in a helicopter crash. No word was mentioned of his daughter also meeting her demise. The caller hung up, leaving me bereft of the opportunity to inquire whether or not I should give credence to my receptive functioning of my auditory canal. My jaw dropped. Was the caller serious? Thereupon, I decided that I was not going to call him back, but instead engage less humourous humans instead. “Kobe is dead.” Suddenly it felt as if words had become disconnected from meanings. I called another friend, a known Lakers enthusiast, and as soon as he answered, I blurted out, “did you hear Kobe died?” Oh! my God she cried, Oh! my God it cannot be for real. She had lost it, I stood there numb, contemplating my next move and wondering if they had heard
would never come. Part of my soul had been amputated, and I was neither prepared for the surgery, nor had my consent been obtained. Breaking news on the television brought home the truth to me, as things suddenly got worse. The helicopter crash in the hills near Malibu that took Kobe’s life also took eight others, including his 13year-old daughter, Gianna. Vanessa Bryant, the mother of his three surviving daughters, was now a widow at the ludicrous age of 37. Kobe was more than a friend to me, he occupied pride of place in my home whenever the Lakers played at home or away. In the latter part of his storied career with the Lakers, Mamba, wore No. 24. Its strange how the sudden unexpected loss of someone, whom you have never met, only vicariously laid eyes on, can give the same emotional sensation like a death in the family. I had a fan’s complex re-
Russia-Cuba axis grinds slowly and subtly, but it grinds relentlessly and remorselessly. It takes a while before the untutored and untested come to their senses and realize what is really happening, and those who are behind (both domestically and internationally), the rearrangements in the broader region, and also right here.
behaviour paled in comparison to my awe at seeing him in action. When as a teenage star going from high school to one of the greatest players we have ever seen, in a critical playoff game against the Utah Jazz, he stubbornly put up four airballs. I felt like trading him for a simple mac and cheese. The feuding between him and Shaquille O’Neal brought out the demonic instinct in me. When he was arrested on charges of sexual assault, he stated his innocence, and the 19-year-old woman who accused him declined to testify, finally settling a civil suit with her– I could have happily strangled him. That behind me, I yelled in awe of his will and skill when over three quarters he singlehandedly outscored the entire Dallas Mavericks team. Fancy blowing out your Achilles tendon, then standing at the free throw line and sinking two shots. He led his team to five NBA champion-
NBA Team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, was named the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and was a two-time NBA Finals MVP winner. I was over the moon when he went on to the next phase in his life, leaving basketball behind and reinventing himself as a filmmaker, author and doting dad. I do not like what came next. Death the inevitable. He was only 41 years. The suddenness of his death feels so brutal, but also educative, a reminder from above of how transient our existence on Earth really is. And hence, how crucial. It caused me to reconsider what hours before seemed important. It made we want to hug somebody, love somebody — now, while I could. Yes, Kobe Bean Bryant is dead. Point finale. No punch line to follow. May he and his daughter Gianna rest in peace and the family be spared further sorrow. Yvonne Sam
It is now obvious that the Anglo Saxons are on the defensive and there is a slowly gathering and more recognizable Slavic and Oriental surge that rules the void and increasingly calling the shots. This has huge potential for Guyana’s elections, governance and, of course, oil. Those who have eyes and ears should see and hear….
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SCHOOL VIOLENCE AND THE ROLE OF SOCIETY DEAR EDITOR, The recent tragedy in Linden involving the stabbing of a school child by another pupil brings much into focus; from matters pertaining to the education sector, mental health, and even the conditions of society. I commend those who have raised key considerations in these areas, both online and offline, as the nation tries to come to grip with this dire incident. Surely, this was not the first incident, and it probably would not be the last time we hear of this again, unless we do something about it. What is unfortunate, though, is that a large sector of society is focused on the school children’s behaviour rather than the symptoms of a society that has failed them. Some have pointed fingers at parents and teachers for the ruthlessness committed. Few teachers have come out publicly denouncing accusations that they have anything to do with a child’s behaviour outside of school, and instead shift blame to the conditions of the home, for which parents have responsibility over. Of course, a good parent ensures a child’s basic physical and mental needs are met. But I am not confident that any single entity or person can be blamed for what occurred in Linden. What I hope to accomplish in this essay is to offer some sober reflections, in the midst of heated dialogues, regarding violence in schools and the education sector in general so that we can try to understand where we are as a nation, and where we should be going. Guyanese society is undoubtedly faced with many challenges. Part of the challenge is addressing: ‘How should we organize society to better encapsulate the virtues we wish everyone to have, especially our children?’ This challenge has been largely ignored for decades. If one were to interview people on the streets about their feelings or thoughts about the rise of school violence in Guyana, a large base would express a feeling of despair, even hopelessness and fear. The despair is warranted, since there are many cases of gang fights, aggressive confrontation with teachers, mat-
ters of boyfriend/girlfriend issues resulting in violence, students being unruly, and so on. Encouraging Good Behaviour It is no secret that these occurrences give a negative outlook on certain schools, prompting many institutions to adopt stricter codes of conduct and ethical guidelines with the demand that students must align accordingly. But rules are one thing, understanding why the rules are there is another. This matter of ‘why’ is important for children at a tender age. As a child grows, much of her environment shapes her personality, social conduct, and moral outlook. This is especially important to grasp, since what a child sees in her environment is likely to be a significant contributor to that child’s personhood and morality. For example, if a child is taught that one should always hit back someone who first hits, then this is the moral code the child adopts. Of course, some of us may disagree that hitting back does any good and would encourage the child to desist from this brute principle of justice. A child’s curiosity is likely to ponder, “But if other children are following the former moral code, why should I not?” This is why explaining something deemed good (or bad) can be invaluable to a child, such as not hitting because it causes physical harm to another, which we may not like for ourselves. The role of parenthood cannot be underestimated. It becomes a parent’s responsibility to teach a child about good values and principles that have been successful at taming or overruling our inner sometimes unwarranted emotions — and yes, children do have these. For instance, teaching a principle such as ‘The Golden Rule‘, which would have us treat others as we would expect treatment from others, is likely to be
beneficial. The goal is to instill life-lessons that can have a lasting impact on a child’s moral compass and behaviour. A Social Problem of Embracing Violence Some have extended the discourse to criticizing the education system as the fault for school violence. I disagree, though I would say that the education system can aid with a remedy. A more suitable question is, ‘why are these matters prevalent?’ There must be some underlying factor, or factors, that are driving students’ anger, aggressiveness, expressions of hatred, and their acceptance that using violent methods can solve their problems. Here, I offer two key considerations: Violence as social normalcy and the prevailing social conditions, both of which are intricately connected.Firstly, society teaches children that physical harm solves problems. We see it in the media, in our communities, and even in our homes that resort to domestic violence. Violence, be it physical or verbal, is the accepted norm in Guyanese society, so much so that it results in the methods we use to discipline a child. To illustrate, consider the matter of corporal punishment. In the average Guyanese household, children are being disciplined by means of hitting them, an act that, supposedly, is meant to teach them a lesson. But a lesson on what? Hitting used as a means to “teach a lesson” denies a vital opportunity for that child to learn about their wrongdoing.Peculiarly, while hitting serves to prevent a child from repeating a mistake or misdeed, in mature societies no one is hit to be taught a lesson. So, a lesson of being hit only teaches a child what not to do (or say) without a reason or true lesson. Furthermore, such missed opportunities can take away genuine bonding time with parents, immensely crucial to
a child’s development. Parents who do hit their child may find that it has not been working, and consequently stop. Interestingly, some of these parents would rationalize their hitting as an expression of their frustrations. But all the evidence on corporal punishment indicates that it does more harm than any good, to the point where it encourages aggression and hostile attitudes. At some point, we have to admit that violent methods of ‘correcting’ solves and teaches nothing. The Education System, Society, and Raising Moral People Secondly, social conditions inhibit society from evolving moral outlooks. This is undoubtedly connected to our acceptance of violence as a necessary means of instilling good values in children — for which there is no reason to support. To understand the social conditions that exist allows us to gain invaluable insights into how society is currently organized, how it reacts to its problems, and how it tries to resolve them. Because education, society and even morality are often discussed regarding school violence, it helps to appreciate what some thinkers have said regarding these. One such thinker especially relevant to this discourse, I believe, is the French Sociologist, Émile Durkheim. Durkheim remarked that “Education is healthy when peoples themselves are in a healthy state; but it becomes corrupt with them, being unable to modify itself.” A society that fails to self-improve is symptomatic of a society that is ailing, perhaps for political or cultural reasons. Education, for Durkheim, is intricately connected to the state or condition of a society. The
lesson here is that for society to produce ethical and violence-free generations to come, it must reform itself according to that maxim. For the quality of education relies on the state or conditions of a society. Failing to improve these conditions would consequently fail to improve education, and by extension fail the next generation. The relationship between education and society gives us a way to understand the role of education in society and society’s role in education. If the mandate is to produce an intelligible populace, then society must value knowledge. But if a society is not nurtured to value knowledge, what, then, results if not a reluctance to be educated, a stubborn preference to squirm in ignorance? Similarly, if children are to value peace and harmony, then that society must inculcate and practice that value; and so, a society that is not nurtured according to such a value will result in its citizens reluctant to practice and uphold that value. Therefore, a change in societal attitude and cultural norms are requisites to effect, on a grand scale, a change in morality for better social conditions. This is why our education sector, which is responsible for teaching future generations how to be better adults than their predecessors, needs much attention and, perhaps more importantly, suitable reforms. Moreover, according to Durkheim, “If the moral environment is affected, since the teachers themselves dwell in
it they cannot avoid being influenced; how then should they impress on their pupils a different orientation from what they have received?” Durkheim believed society needs first to reform before we can talk about reforming education. Good education, it seems, results from a good society, and a good society in turn would produce better, more morally attuned people. Conclusion We gathered that the behaviour of children in schools is correlated with the conditions of society, including their relationship with parents. We take it that the moral aspect of expected proper behaviour for children largely depends on the moral fabric of society, even with rules or codes of conduct, as we have evidently seen time and again. We understand that seeking education reform is one necessary but not wholly conceivable resolve in addressing challenges within the education sector. Although it may be easier to blame a child for their malevolent deeds, it does us no good in the long run, empty of solution and proper remedy. As Durkheim puts it, “Each new generation is reared by its predecessor; the latter must therefore improve in order to improve its successor. The movement is circular.” As adults, we must lead and guide children towards the light, even when they have found themselves stumbling in the dark, no matter the extremity of the situation. Ferlin F. Pedro
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Monday February 03, 2020
We must keep our minds open to a holistic approach towards cultivating disciplined approach to pre- both invited and embraced by abused by an abusive parent vating our future society, and vent the total loss of that hu- others. A child’s bad and this same village culture the best practices that can be our future society DEAR EDITOR, ing an increase in criminal ac- man being. It is also a matter behaviour would be cor- or small community culture implemented sometimes rePlease allow space in your newspaper to respond to some questions recently raised on the use of corporal punishment in our schools. First, I would like to thank your readers for their questions. I am aware that corporal punishment is not popular in many countries, but I am also aware of a number of locations where the use of stern discipline has been proven to be extremely effective. Singapore is a great example of where students may be caned. This however is not done in isolation and is complemented with counseling and guidance for the students, as was the case in the top High Schools of our country. It should also be noted that in the Judicial System of Singapore caning is also used as an effective deterrent to criminal activity. Today Singapore has one of the lowest crime rates in the world when compared to developed countries. Some of these developed countries such as the USA have a trend in this metric that is unfavourable show-
tivity. Unfortunately in some cases these “modern” countries that have eliminated stern forms of discipline have been subject to very dangerous behaviour in their schools such as mass shootings and extensive gang violence. Their prison systems have also grown and are now seen more as a source of profit in some corners of their society. In many cases they have also chosen to eliminate the death penalty. This has led to many repeat offenders and an ineffective justice system when compared to other cultures that have shown some of the best results in the world for the reduction of criminal activity. In the Guyanese context it should be noted that the death penalty (appropriate in some instances) is the end in our society for those who take the path of violent crime that may lead to the killing of others. When we compare the consequences of uncorrected early bad behaviour it becomes an easier choice to implement a very stern and
of the culture that you are willing to create in society. I remember Mrs. Massiah at BHS and am also aware of Mr. Trotz at QC. The discipline within the school system went far beyond caning and this was seen as a last resort for correcting the behaviour of the students. Any process of correcting students in the school system will have to be clearly outlined and taught to the teaching staff. Whether it is the time out concept, detention, suspension, caning and counseling (which can also include parent participation); our process for instilling discipline in our students needs uniformity with the goal of correcting behaviour and should not be used as an opportunity to abuse our children. The process of student inspection during the Monday and Friday general assemblies by Teachers and Prefects was a great indicator of the level of discipline within the student body as a whole and was also a way to clearly identify any issues at the individual student level. Signs of potential conflict were also easily identified during this process. Our close knit society is one where our elders’ ability to correct the bad behaviour seen in the public realm was
rected when witnessed and their parents informed of what was occurring. This was and is a major deterrent to the unwanted behaviour in our youths. Also it should be noted that no one wants to see a child
which exists in our society helps prevent and correct such risks especially at a young age. Once again, I appreciate your concerns, but we must keep our minds open to a holistic approach towards culti-
side in countries outside of those that are the most powerful and influential. Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana (CRG)
Guyana’s offshore: Facts, Risks and... From page 4 operational and inherent asset deliverability challenges, Stabroek is an important green field area, costly to develop. Liza and Payara reservoirs are located to a depth of over 17.800ft (>5,400mts) deep in a water column exceeding 5,700 ft (>1.700+mts). There are sensitive environmental challenges, operational complexities, and concerning potential reservoir complexities. To drill and complete such offshore-deep-wells require at least 120 days, and around $60 to $80+ million. For phase I, a 17 well drill center including 8 producer, 6 water injectors, and 3 gas injectors was considered. With concurrent operations, and considering only a 3% decline rate per year, the 120.000 B/D target is feasible assuming 100% efficiency, no operational problems/delay, and a 15.000 B/D per well rate, which in essence seems unsustainable and unrealistic in practice for this type of assets. For phase II, some 30 wells will be needed, including 15 injectors. Looking at the acceleration criteria, in situ reserves will be depleted at 4% during phase I, and 6% during phase II, taking into account the upper bound for the recoverable reserves of 1.200 MMBOE (Full scope: Liza asset), whereas at 10% and 16% respectively for the lower end reserves scenario (450 MMBOE). Discovery wells for both prospects targeted similar reservoirs, the most prolific belonging to the Upper Cretaceous. It has also been confirmed that discovery wells have significant free-gas volumes, possibly over 2 trillion cubic feet, as well as intrinsic early production problems leading to formation dislodging. These observations pose beyond doubt, a significant threat to offshore Guyana future development which needs to be considered. Liza and Payara reservoir fluid is likely to be described as light-volatile or retrograde gas condensate. In any case, assuming as accurate that initial pressure conditions places the main pool at/or below saturation pressure, further complications should be ex-
pected, all leading to added costs (gas flaring, fluid disposal, etc) and accelerated productivity decay. As per confirmed information, both Liza and Payara reservoirs are preferentially volumetric, meaning they have little or no additional-significant pressure support besides fluid & rock expansion. Accelerating these assets at such rate of over 4%; and even more 16%, will ensure a very short-live expectancy under primary production, reducing reserves expectation (in situ trapping), and demanding additional pressure support from project inception (assisted/EOR/IOR, recycling, etc). That’s the main reason why Exxon considered water/gas injectors. For the water injector wells, most likely seawater will be used, which poses an additional environmental hazard as potential reservoir souring can become likely, if not properly treated. Reservoir souring occurs when the sulfate dissolved in the seawater promotes the growth of sulfate reducing bacteria generating hydrogen sulfide and other harmful sulfur compounds. This has to be taken very seriously as there are a number of precedents, particularly in the North Sea. All of these elements bring additional capital and operating costs to the project. At required flow rates of 15.000 B/D per well during initial production, superficial and interstitial supersonic “erosional” velocities, particularly for the upper gas phase will force operations towards high OPEX intensive. In spite of well architecture and type of completion (i.e.: vertical, highly inclined or multilateral), supersonic velocities and “erosional” forces will reduce well life expectancy even with costly and specific metal alloy grades. Irrespective of borehole completion schemes, it will also consistently and gradually destabilize near wellbore region, leading to borehole collapsing adversely impacting flow properties, well deliverability, and ultimately reducing both, overall production and margins. Regardless of the claim about a number of new prospects including the latest Ti-
lapia, Haimara, and Yellowtail, in reality these are medium to small offshore deep pockets of hydrocarbon, which require large capital investments and high risks to develop. With the exception of Liza, Maku, Snoek, and latest Uaru, most of the assets are isolated among them, turning very costly capitalizing on neighboring infrastructure because of the large distances involved. In terms of in situ reserves volume, geologically speaking the potential for more commercially attractive reservoirs is limited to, and “possibly” reduced to an aerial strip trending N-NW to S-SE beyond which either the hydrocarbon biodegrades, or the reservoir thins out, and the seawater depth surpasses the 4.000 to 5.000 meters deep. This whole picture describing inherent risks clearly explains the reason why Exxon made sure to get the 75% share initially mentioned at front as costs recovery. Let’s not forget that this company has been facing a sustained loss of value since mid’2014, when it reached over $105 per share. Recently, price per share has dropped to under $64.6; losing nearly 40% of its whole value so far. The government of Guyana needs to take time to rethink strategies for pending or future licenses and SPA’s, including the review of royalty figures, renegotiation of pre-contract costs, share per barrel produced, as well as diversification from current stakeholders. One of the actions the government of Guyana should also consider is to make sure to negotiate “future” SPA’s based on investment, and percentage of actually in situ reserves recovered, instead of a simple per barrel produced based contract, incrementing the operator share as most investment and exposure is made and not at front. The government should also consider retaining a fee to the operators, to create a fund accounting for any unexpected offenses against the environment. Millan Arcia Einstein: Senior Upstream Oil & Gas Global Adviser and SME
Monday February 03, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Digital court registry crashes…
No back-up system
Georgetown Supreme Court.
AVAILABLE With no backup system available, litigants and court officials alike are feeling the effects of a crash to the digital system at the registry of the Georgetown Supreme Court. Kaieteur News understands that the system has been experiencing technical problems since last November. While it is unclear what caused the problems, sources close to the registry have said with no backup system in place, the Court may be faced with a situation in which numerous court records are lost. A t t o r n e y - a t - l a w, Sanjeev Datadin spoke of the difficulties he encountered trying to retrieve information from the registry recently. Datadin, who is representing Kaieteur News in several libel cases brought against the newspaper by former Head of the National Industrial Commercial
Investments, (NICIL) Winston Brassington, noted that the shutdown has made it impossible for him to retrieve information from the registry on the case. “All my efforts have been unsuccessful at this point and I don’t believe the registry can retrieve those documents,” Datadin said. The lawyer said too he is not aware that the court has sent out any official notice on how it is dealing with the problem. The attorney noted that he is uncertain how many other cases are affected by the shutdown. The attorney stressed on the need for some explanation from the Court on how the matter will be addressed. He said he is also unsure whether the Bar Association of Guyana has been notified. “At this time to my knowledge, the Court’s Registrar has not officially engaged anyone on the way forward, “he said. In 2017, the digital system was introduced to improve
the effectiveness of the Court process. Along with the implementation of Civil Procedure Rules 2016, the voice recognition systems and the digital registry came on stream. This represented a major step towards reducing the number of cases which go to court, as well as curbing long delays in the hearing of civil
litigation cases. This digital featured voice recognition systems which would have significantly eased the burden on judicial
officers with regards to recording the end of trials. The objective of the new system was to put an end to the need for judges to write
notes in longhand, and has been in operation since the opening of the new session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes.
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Kaieteur News
Monday February 03, 2020
Disclosure is key to keeping corruption at bay in the oil industry - Expert By Kiana Wilburg There are two key reasons why countries fail to make petroleum resources a success. One reason is that the political elites use the nation’s oil resources for their own gains. The other is due to inefficient spending which leaves a country trapped in a cycle of underdevelopment. This is the observation of Executive Director of Open Contracting Partnership
(OCP), Gavin Hayman. But the Illicit Financial Flows Expert says that readers should not be disheartened by this dismal picture, since the antidote does exist to reverse things. During his first appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s Guyana’s Oil and You, Hayman said that the remedy for keeping corruption at bay includes the disclosure of all pieces of information relevant to the sector. Expounding on his
position, Hayman said, “There are two key reasons why countries fail with oil. First is that it is a huge amount of money and often, the elites who rule the country choose to spend that money on themselves and on reinforcing their own political power as opposed to investing the money in the economy and for the betterment of the citizenry.” Hayman, who has led global efforts to end money laundering and financial
crimes, stressed that the oil money comes in huge volumes and therefore serves to encourage corruption and patronage. Pointing to the second reason, the transparency advocate, who holds a Doctorate from the University of Reading added, “The huge surge of money in itself, lends to binge spending. It pushes up inflation and makes (sections of) the economy less competitive. But disclosure
Executive Director of Open Contracting Partnership (OCP), Gavin Hayman and transparency are key parts of the antidote.” The Executive Director of OCP, (a silo-busting collaboration of governments, companies, technologists and civil society that work to open up public contracting through disclosure), said that Guyanese need to keep their eyes on the oil money, given the temptation and challenges that come with it. Further to this, the former Executive Director of international anti-corruption body, Global Witness, was keen to note that while transparency is the place to start, citizens should not stop there. He said, “You also need checks and balances and accountability from the politicians, the regulators, and others to ensure the money is spent well.” GUYANA’S STRUGGLE FOR DISCLOSURE Since the birth of Guyana’s oil industry, there has been an unrelenting struggle between the media and the government for the disclosure of key pieces of information from the latter. Take for example the release of the ExxonMobil Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). For more than a year, the media had to protest via daily publications for the ExxonMobil contract to be released. It finally became public on December 28, 2017. Following this was the call for the Bridging Deed, which replaced the 1999 Agreement and the 1999
Petroleum Prospecting Licence. The document paved the way for a new contract which retained some of the provisions to the old contract along with a few modifications to the fiscal terms. That document was not released to the public despite numerous requests. Only recently, Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram got a hold of it. He told Kaieteur News yesterday that it was at the deeds registry but no one was told about this. Compounding this is the fact that the government gave the impression to this newspaper that it was a secret document while noting that only Sir Shridath Ramphal could authorize its release. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2018/02/01/nothing-sinisterabout-bridging-deed/) Further to this, Kaieteur News has also called on the government to release the Field Development Plans which holds key information about the costs of the Liza Phase One and Two projects but there was no interest in doing so. This newspaper would have also called on the government to reveal the names of the persons who negotiated the GuyanaExxonMobil deal and to state the names of the international institutions that provided advice in this regard. But to date, the Granger administration is yet to provide a response.
Monday February 03, 2020
Kaieteur News
Guyana’s take of profit oil should be higher if it pays oil companies’ income taxes-IMF By Kiana Wilburg According to all the Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) Guyana has with the world’s oil majors, the Government will pay the companies’ income taxes from this nation’s share of the profit oil. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said there is absolutely nothing wrong with this arrangement, except for the part where Guyana fails to increase its take of the profit oil upon agreeing to pay the said taxes. In a technical report dated April 2019, the IMF told the government that this arrangement it has in the PSAs is referred to as Pay On Behalf (POB). The IMF said POB is quite common and used in over 20 petroleum producing countries. The financial institution said, “As a consequence, when the POB scheme applies to the sharing of profit petroleum, the agreed percentage of government’s share in profit petroleum has to be higher...” It therefore means that since Guyana agreed to pay the income taxes of ExxonMobil and partners, its take of the profit oil as outlined in the Stabroek Block agreement should have been higher than 50 percent. Furthermore, the IMF which is one of Guyana’s key partners in developing its capacity for the management of the oil sector, also noted that the PSA provisions supersede the Income Tax Act. In its 2019 report, the IMF
said, “While the ITA (Income Tax Act) applies to the petroleum operations performed under a PSA, its provisions are superseded by the provisions of the PSA dealing with the determination and payment of income tax, subject however to the special authorization process set forth in Section 51 of the Act.” The Fund noted that Section 51 allows for the Finance Minister to take an order to the National Assembly which allows for the Income Tax Act
Rielly alluded to the fact that investors or stakeholders basically had nothing to worry about. He was at the time responding to a question from Bank of America Analyst, Doug Leggate. The participant of the 2019 earnings call noted that Hess would obviously have to report tax associated with its operations. “But as we all know, there is no tax,” Leggate added while calling for some clarification.
to not apply to the oil companies. That Order for ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC/NEXEN, was passed on August 2, 2016 in the National Assembly. HESS CORPORATION HAPPY During its third quarter earnings call for 2019, Hess Corporation’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), John Rielly was asked to update industry analysts about its tax arrangement with the government.
Rielly said, “So the way that contract works (is that) after the cost recovery, the profit oil, they split for the government and the working interest owners. And the government out of its profit oil pays for the taxes of the working interest owners. So what that requires us to do is record a tax...” The Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President added, “Whatever taxes that show up there do not affect the bottom line cash flow from our Guyana production.”
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Kaieteur News
Monday February 03, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Defending Mark Benschop and David Hinds One of the things that affect humans is the power of perceptions. Perceptions and reality are not necessarily related but perceptions are out there and one has to deal with them depending on your station in life. When one enters politics one is essentially asking society to trust them with the exercise of power. You are not going to acquire power if perceptions about you are overwhelming even though there is no realistic dimensioned involved. But you have to deal with them. People see what they want to see and you cannot change their minds but once you enter politics you have to confront perceptions. I have spent years trying to erase perceptions of Mark
Benschop that I know have no basis in reality. He is my friend. I shared dangerous activism with him. I experienced the application of violence meted out to us while sharing that activism. Some quarters in this society think Benschop is a racist Blackman. Let me go on record as saying I don’t believe that. I have not seen the evidence of that. Please show me it. Not because you support the PNC you are Afro-centric. Not because you endorse the PPP you are Anti-African. I am voting for the Amerindian party and I have no cultural connections with Amerindian communities and never had. People call Benschop racist because he was uncompromising in his antiPPP politics.
I have heard credible people who live credible lives tell me that Benchop is a show-off. And guess why? Because he would go to a police barrier, confront the police and get arrested. I have told countless critics of Benschop that thousands of Guyanese activists since the 1940s have done similar things that Benschop is accused of being a show-off about. Mark Benschop has stood up for violated people while others hid under their beds. Give jack his jacket! We come to David Hinds. Anyone who follows politics would know I am a personal friend of David. We come back, way back as youths in the Walter Rodney bandwagon. A very good friend who is a very prominent, professional
Guyanese invited me to lunch at Oasis Café last Wednesday. Incidentally it was with Mark Benschop that I last visited Oasis Café in 2013. He told me he knows how close I am to David but he is uncomfortable with David politics. Then he said, “Freddie I know he is your friend, but he is racist.” Many East Indian buddies of mine have told me that David is racist. It is perception I have confronted several times even up to last Wednesday. I went into a long explanation why I don’t think he is racist. But perceptions are there and David is feeding it with a certain type of activism. How did this come about? His praxis evolved out of Eusi Kwayana’s African village movement and Kwayana’s cultural consciousness movement. A logical outcome of such discourses would be the necessity for seeing that your ethnic group takes their rightful place in society. David wants to see an economy in Guyana where
Africans whose descendants came here as slaves share in the wealth generated. As an academic trained in history I have no essential arguments with that aspiration. I think David gets into trouble with accusations of racism because of his Rodneyite praxis that has lasted for over forty-five years and what his detractors see as his endorsement of post 2015 of governance by the PNC. My own perspective informs me that David is swimming in a sea of justified perceptions because there cannot be a dialectical harmony between these binaries. What I thought Benschop and David would have done was to use the continuation of the monstrously ethnically driven political culture inherited by the post 2015 formation to lessen the hold on power by both the PPP and the PNC. I find David’s theory that the nature of the present coalition makes for the lessening of the poison inherent in Guyana’s old political culture completely
Frederick Kissoon implausible. I will now offer David an example of where he is feeding people’s perceptions of him. I was at the birthday last Saturday of city optometrist, David Singh. I met former Finance Minister (an old friend when we were student contemporaries at UG and one of Guyana’s most modest ministers in its entire history), Sasenarine Kowlessar. Sase told me that the Ministry of Finance currently employs only African staff. He said it was not multi-racial when he was Minister. Do I believe him? Don’t I have a right to my opinion? Yes, I believe him. I can tell you about ethnic preferences at the National Park. David needs to be more loyal to Rodneyite politics.
Monday February 03, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Monday February 03, 2020
Kaieteur News
Domestic Violence seminar emphasizes NO FORM OF VIOLENCE ACCEPTABLE
Deputy UNICEF Representative Irfan Akhtar (3rd left) with some of the magistrates. A multi-stakeholders seminar in East Berbice-Corentyne region on Friday discussed the troubling issue of domestic violence. During the interactive session, the participants addressed various issues including the roles and responsibilities that they can play in lending a helping hand and ensuring the victims are receiving the assistance they need. Among the representatives from the Judiciary were Chief Justice(ag) Justice Roxanne George, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Hon. Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus. Other participants included magistrates within the Berbice District, members of the Joint
Services, NGO’s, faith-based organisations and the Ministry of Social Protection among others. Chief Justice Roxane George in her presentation reminded that everyone has an equal role to play and that we bear responsibility for those around us. “It has to start in our homes, in our families, in our communities, and I want to re-emphasize that when we leave here and we return home, we will say in my community I will be the person who will call the police, I will be the person who will go to Social Protection….. We are our brother’s keepers and that is what we would like emphasise.” The Chief Justice also spoke of changing
social norms that support violence to ensure the culture of violence is not passed down to children. Some of the measures discussed looked at creating safe, stable and nurturing relationships between children and their parents and caregivers, reducing availability and misuse of intoxicants and care and support of victims. Deputy UNICEF Representative Irfan Akhtar applauded the Judiciary for “being on the ground with the other stakeholders” to have a meaningful discussion on the way forward. Noting the lifelong impact domestic violence has on children who are witnesses or victims, Akhtar called for all stakeholder to utilise science and technology to help address
the issue from various angles to assist all parties involved. Meanwhile, Karen De Souza from Red Thread stressed that no form of violence should be acceptable and called for individuals to be sensitive in dealing with such matters as often there tends to be victimblaming. In conclusion, the underlying message derived from the workshop was that all the stakeholders must work in tandem with each other to help reduce the prevalence of domestic violence as no one party can do it alone. The seminar was organised by the Judiciary in collaboration with UNICEF. (A DPI feature)
Monday February 03, 2020
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Kaieteur News
To abolish or not?
Society remains divided in corporal punishment debate - Govt. tells UN
Government has informed the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council that the abolition of corporal punishment remains an issue in which Guyanese remain “staunchly and equally divided.” The assessment was by government submitted when the country’s human rights record came up for another revision by Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group, during the last 12 days. Government’s report is similar to its last review in 2015. Government also reported that the Ministry of Education has introduced a policy which prohibits the use of corporal punishment as a disciplinary method in dealing with children in schools. Additionally, the Ministry of Education utilizes the services of Welfare Officers and Guidance Counselors to work with the administration of various schools to ensure that they practice positive discipline. Government further reported that sensitization sessions are also held with parents to present positive discipline as a more favourable approach to corporal punishment. Notwithstanding this, corporal punishment is sanctioned by Section 9 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act 2010 and Section 7 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, which grant guardians and teachers the authority to administer reasonable and proper punishment to children. Both Sections of the Acts read: “Nothing in this Act shall be construed to take away or affect the right of the guardian or teacher of any child to administer reasonable and proper punishment to the child.” However, Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, reads “Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and
educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child. “Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate, for judicial involvement.” Although corporal punishment is not prohibited in private homes, it is prohibited in institutional residences1and juvenile correctional institutions. In June, 2018, Guyana enacted the Juvenile Justice Act 2018 which prohibits all forms of corporal punishment of children in penal institutions and as a sentence for a crime. Article 92 of the Act states: (1)Any juvenile who breaches the rules of a facility may be disciplined on the instruction of the Principal of the facility in a way that is both reasonable and within the prescribed limits … (2) The Minister, on the advice of the Juvenile Justice Committee, shall prescribe the limits for the disciplining of a juvenile housed in a facility. (3) The following forms of discipline are prohibited – (a) corporal punishment or any other form of physical violence; (b) deprivation of food or drink; (c) treatment that is cruel, inhuman or degrading; (d) treatment that could reasonably be Continued on page 22
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Monday February 03, 2020
Kaieteur News
The chef’s mystery lady ..and other cold cases that have followed the police into 2020 On the night of Saturday, September14, 2019, Andre Gordon, 51, invited a woman into the Station Street, Kitty house in which he was staying. A U-S based chef, Gordon, known as ‘Blackie’, had reportedly come to Guyana to train locals interested pursuing a similar vocation. But the next day, a friend visited the house and found husband and father lying dead on the kitchen floor. He was naked and his wallet and short pants were in a nearby chair. A postmortem would later reveal that someone had manually strangled Gordon from behind. While detectives found no evidence of a break-in, it was believed that the killer or killers carted off cash and other valuables. Examining CCTV recordings in the area, detective saw that Gordon and a woman, suspected to be a foreign national, had entered the house at around 20.00 hrs on Saturday, September 14. The woman was reportedly seen leaving at around 08.00 hrs the following day. According to reports, CCTV footage also showed a friend of Gordon’s friend going to the premises on Saturday morning. He reportedly called for Gordon, but left without entering the house after getting no answer. Police detained the friend, who had reportedly known Gordon since the two sere children. However, investigators eventually released him after finding nothing to incriminating the friend. Police had said they were seeking to enhance the video footage in a bid to identify individuals who were seen leaving the scene. But four months later, they have still not located Gordon’s killer, or the mystery woman who he invited into his apartment. Gordon’s murder is just one of the stack of unsolved cases that have followed the police into this new year. WHERE IS MICHAEL BANFUS? Take the case of Michael Banfus. The 26-year-old Banfus has been employed at the Forestry Commission as a woodworking technician for some five years. He had rented a Lot 10 First Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara apartment, which he shared
with another young man. Banfs was reportedly last seen at his apartment on Saturday, September 21, 2019. He was allegedly in the company of a male Berbice resident, who often visited the apartment. Banfus, accompanied by the same individual, reported then visited the Sophia Exhibition Site, where the 2019 Indigenous Heritage Month celebrations were being held. The two men were reportedly later seen at a cricket club, located on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown. Banfus has not been seen since. A friend said that he attempted to tried to reach Banfus via cell phone after the forestry employee failed to return to his apartment. He eventually received a text message that was sent from Banfus’ phone. The message indicated that Banfus was in Linden and was staying at a friend for two weeks. But the individual who was receiving the texts said that he eventually suspected that the messages were being sent by someone who was pretending to be Banfus. “Certain things that I asked, he (the person sending the messages) did not answer correctly,” the friend said. According to the friend,
he urged ‘Banfus’, via text message, to contact his family to reassure them that he was alright. ‘Banfus’ reportedly never responded. After he failed to turn up, Forestry officials contacted the police. Ranks and colleagues who checked the Cummings Lodge, East Coast apartment where Banfus resided found his belongings, including his passport, intact. A few days later, relatives received the disturbing news that the Berbice resident, with whom Banfus was last seen, had hanged himself. So what may have happened to Michael Banfus, and who may have had a reason for causing him harm? AMURDERED REMIGRANT In early 2019, 73-year-old remigrant Godfrey Branch visited Kaieteur News. Clutching a sheaf of documents, a worried Mr. Branch alleged that persons were trying to take his property at Lot 22 A Springlands Public Road, Corentyne. On May 3, 2019, Mr. Branch’s female caretaker entered his home and found his bound and bloodied corpse on the floor. He had been stabbed to the heart, chest, abdomen and the back of his head.
His house was ransacked and cash was also reportedly stolen from his home. Branch’s home was equipped with surveillance cameras, but the killer (s) had removed the DVR with the CCTV footage. Branch had an ongoing land dispute with a resident who was allegedly claiming ownership of his piece of land. Shortly before his murder, the remigrant’s attorney had drafted a warning letter to someone who had trespassed on Mr. Branch’s property. Police detained three suspects, but they were released and the case appears to be at a standstill. …AND A GUNNED DOWN MECHANIC On Saturday, July 27, Roxanne
Missing Forestry employee: Michael Banfus
Presidential Guard Constable Winston Cooper
Murdered in her bedroom: Nalinie Persaud
Popular mechanic, Reginald Atherly
Murdered: Jennifer Bipat
Murdered: Godfrey Branch
The house where Andre Gordon was strangled. Crawford, the reputed wife of mechanic Reginald Atherly, known a ’Diesel Boss’, reportedly awoke to see two masked, “thin built” men with guns standing by her bed. The intruders had reportedly entered the family’s Lot G 26 Guyhoc Park home, after removing panes from a window. Ms. Crawford said she screamed. Atherly, her 44year-old reputed husband, also scrambled up, and ran out of the bedroom. The woman said she then woke her little daughter and told her to hide under the bed, and she too, ran outside. It was then that she heard gunshots, and saw her husband struggling with one of the intruders near the front door. According to Ms. Crawford, she then ran to retrieve a cutlass, but when she returned, she saw her husband lying motionless by the front door. The intruders had fled. There are reports that about $110,000 was missing. Police later arrested several individuals but then released them. In early August, Marlon Bradley, 34, was shot in the leg, during a confrontation with police at Cornhill Street, Stabroek. Police allege that Bradley was a suspect in Reginald Atherly’s murder, and that he had shot at ranks who were attempting to arrest him. They alleged that he was armed with an unlicensed .32 pistol and eight .32 rounds of ammunition. He was charged with unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition. But to date, no one has been charged with Atherley’s murder. WHO KILLED ‘NALO?’ Fifty-six-year-old Nalinie Persaud operated Nalo’s Variety Shop at Lot 161 James Street, Albouystown. She lived there with her 59-yearold spouse, Mahendra Rampersaud, who had returned to Guyana after a year overseas.
Mahendra Rampersaud says that he and his reputed wife retired to bed at around midnight on Friday, May 2. At around 3:00 a.m., Rampersaud allegedly felt someone touch his leg. He awoke. Four masked men were in his bedroom. Two were pointing guns at him. He said that when he sat up, the men ‘lassoed’ him around the neck with a length of nylon rope. He said that his wife, Nalinie Persaud, began to scream and the men pressed her face-down on the bed. However, according to Rampersaud, Nalinie Persaud “was still keeping noise.” While two of the robbers subdued his wife, the other two dragged him to the bottom flat where their shop is located. The intruders reportedly ordered him to switch off the lights. He said they began to gunbutt and kick him, while asking, “Where the money and the jewellery deh.” Because his wife was the one who handled the finances, Rampersaud said he suggested to the bandits that, “maybe the money deh in the wardrobe.” The robbers, he said, then gagged him, and strapped his eyes and limbs with duct tape. He then heard them leaving. Rampersaud said eventually a customer arrived and freed him. They then found his wife’s body on the bed, with a length of rope tied around her neck. A post mortem would later reveal she had suffered compound injuries to the neck and blunt trauma to the head. He suggested that the killers had gained entry by prising out some loose boards from the southern wall in the bottom flat. Investigators arrested three suspects, including a James Street resident, but eventually released them. They also questioned Mr. Rampersaud extensively, but have made no further arrests. Continued on page 20
Monday February 03, 2020
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Kaieteur News
GUYANESE HORROR FICTION KAMARANG…
An old stranger calls her by another name By Michael Jordan It was on a Friday night in mid-July that Vibert Sealey finally saw the girl. He had returned to the old Ritz Guest House, obsessed by the thought that a woman who resembled the girl from Kamarang lived there. On that Friday night, he had stood by the step-rail talking—rather, listening to a young chap who had bummed an ale out of him, when suddenly, there was an almost indiscernible hushhhh. And there she was, stepping out from the corridor, like a ghost, like someone returning from the dead, and for a moment her eyes had seemed to look into his, and something had seemed to flicker within them; but then she was looking through him as if he didn’t exist, and was, seemingly, floating past him to the bar, where she bought a cider.
She then moved towards the punch-box. She glanced to a corner to her right, hidden by the bar, where Sealey knew there was a table, but then just sat at the opposite side of the room, staring at nothing, just sipping her cider. He watched her like a tongue-tied schoolboy in a party. All the things he’d planned to say and do slipped away like smoke. Something about her had
changed. She was paler, seemed thinner, and yes, she did seem somewhat older, though he wasn’t quite sure what made her appear that way. And these changes made him half-wonder whether the girl who had called herself Carmelita and the one he looked at, were two different people. Maybe he had made a mistake. That could easily have happened. But could two women look so much alike, that he was drawn back to that logie at Kamarang, with the wasted corpse inside? Could two women arouse such lust and that crawling sense of unease at the same time? Three things had remained the same. She only seemed to drink Woodpecker cider, and she wore that strange, musky perfume that had hung around him after she had gone to the corner. The third thing was that she hadn’t tried to pick up
anyone. One man had tried to strike up a conversation, but then had moved on. She had just sat by the punch-box, sipping occasionally at her cider. Maybe he was wrong; but he had sensed a tenseness in her; a distractedness, as if part of her was somewhere else. She shifted occasionally in her seat. She pressed her thighs together. And when, sometime before midnight, she walked past him, her gait
had seemed forced, her forehead beaded with sweat. He returned the next day, and the next, and she was there also, sitting alone, sometimes out of sight by the side of the bar, always passing him without a trace of recognition. He learned from the talkative young chap that she had only one customer —a faircomplexioned chap in his teens. He wondered, with a mixture of curiosity and unease, who the boy was, and if, or when, he would appear. The stevedore was standing by the step-rail when Michael entered the Ritz at around eight-twenty. He smiled widely, his eyes widened in exaggerated surprise. “Hay, wha happen, dread?” Michael nodded coolly, searching the stevedore’s face for any sign of mockery. “The man just humble. His
eyes had already scanned the crowd. No sign of Lucille. Maybe she was in the corner near the bar, or maybe upstairs…or maybe she was gone… Trying to stifle his disappointment, he moved to the bar. Desmond was serving a tall, heavy-set man in a Kangol, who Michael felt he’d seen before. The barman looked up, and Michael thought he caught a look of dismay on the man’s face
before he broke into a grin. “Hayy, the youth-man come again!” Michael ordered a beer, then scanned the crowd as the barman groped in the freezer. There was an extra liveliness about the place tonight. Someone had pressed Cheryl Lyn’s,Got To Be Real. He sensed that some of the customers were already past the stage of being just pleasantly high. He sighed. If only— A flurry of black hair, a white face, a red dress, and he felt his heart leap from its moorings, felt his legs suddenly weaken as if he’d seen a ghost, a pale, blackhaired ghost that was floating past two prostitutes who were peering into the punch-box; slanted black eyes looking past him at something…someone…then locking with his. The icy touch of something brushing his hand broke the spell. He turned away from the girl and reached for the bottle that the barman had thrust at him. But still he stood at the bar, not fully free from her spell, and now she brushed his shoulder and headed to the bar (“Cider…”) voice sweet and clear as a steel-pan played on a still night. He watched as the barman returned with the cider. Swirl of black…white…red, and she was floating past the staring customers, past a muscular, red-faced man sitting at a table near the punch-box with two other friends, shifting out of view in the corner— their corner, at the side of the bar. But yet, part of her seemed to remain swirling around him, leaving him numb and light-headed. He turned to see the barman staring at him. Again, that speculative, almost worried look, followed by a forced smile. “Well, enjoy yuhself, youth-man,” Desmond said, eyes shifting meaningfully toward the corner where the girl now sat. Michael shifted away from the bar and stood near the stevedore, playing it cool, trying to shut out the voice that was telling him to rush over to the girl, even though she had acted as if she hadn’t seen him. The stevedore turned to him. “Where you been all this time, dread?” He laughed. Got woman fighting over you…” “What you talking about?” The stevedore took a quick pull at his ale. “After you left that night, Abby cuss up yuh girl and chuck she.” The man nodded to himself. “Yuh girl cool, though. She just smile and walk away.”
Cover design and illustrations by Harold Bascom He could feel the rage building in him. “She better keep away from me tonight.” “The stevedore snapped his fingers. “Shucks. I forget that you ain’t come around fuh a good while.” A note of seriousness crept into his voice. “Abby in hospital, dread. She take in the same night.” His voice lowered reverently. “Centipede sting, boy.” “Where she get bite—on she mouth?” The stevedore gave a gasp of surprise. “Hayy, you ain’t so far off.” He paused, then said: “The woman got bite on she face.” Michael shivered involuntarily. He touched his cheek as an image of a large centipede on Abby’s face came to him. He’d heard of big men vomiting and getting fevers from centipede stings. And to have one of those hundred-legged things crawling on your face. He shivered again. “The stevedore was speaking again. “It happen right in room three. She been in there with a old chap.” He had been in the same room with Abby, when the prostitute had tricked him into believing Lucile was in there. It could easily have been him in hospital… The stevedore was saying that from the way Abby had screamed, how they had thought that the old man was murdering Abby, but then she had bolted naked from the room with her hands to her face. By the time they took her to hospital her face was swollen up like a football. They hadn’t found the centipede… But Michael had tuned him out. What was important was that he apologise to the
girl and explain what had happened. But would she accept his explanation after her humiliation? Would she accept his gift? The stevedore nudged him. “Wait, you ain’t going and talk to yuh girl?” Was his need so obvious? The stevedore laughed. “Wait…doan tell me you and she fall out over Abby.” “Nah…” Still grinning, the stevedore turned towards the middle-aged man in the Kangol, who was bracing the rail. “This chap got he own luck, mister. He come up hay, like the new kid in town, and cop the woman that making styles on everybody else.” The man in the Kangol grunted. “That is life.” The stevedore turned again to Michael. “You see that big-skin man sitting near the punch-box? Is whole night he staring at she. Look…he watching in the corner again.” Michael lifted the beer to his lips, while watching the man that the stevedore had pointed out. He didn’t like what he saw. A balding man, with a large head and longish nose that made Michael think of an old but still dangerous lion. Tied-dyed jersey tight around big arms and shoulders. A mouth that seemed to grin and sneer at the same time. His hand tightened around his bottle as he thought of the man touching Lucille; maybe forcing her to do strange things and then boasting about it over a round of beers. Someone was replaying, Cheryl Lynn’s Got To Be Real. Michael tapped a hand on Continued on page 20
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An old stranger calls her by another name
From page 19 the rail. “Nice music,” he said. He had his move planned out now… “Yeah,” The stevedore said. Raising his voice and glancing to the bar he added: “That cheapskate finally get some real music…” First, he’d head over to the punchbox… “Like that daughter, Donna Summer too…” the stevedore said. “Yeah…sexy…” Then he’d lean over the punchbox, taking his time to select a tune. Then he’d move, before he chickened out, and say…and say… what would he say? He began to fumble in his pockets. He removed four twenty-five cent pieces, made an elaborate show of making them jingle, then said, his voice sounding high-pitched and false even to himself: “Going and press a couple tunes.”
“Cool,” the stevedore said, then added, as Michael began to move off, “Say goodnight fuh me.” He swaggered off, feeling the stevedore’s eyes on his back, heading for the punchbox, which seemed a lifetime away, thinking, why do I feel like this has happened before? then remembering that it had happened before, that first time… He trembled a coin into the punch-box, then peered into the grimy case at the music list. The typewritten words seemed blurred, meaningless. The nape of his neck tingled as he sensed eyes on him. He saw that there indeed d a few new additions. He selected Marley’s Kaya, and Get Down by Gene Chandler, then tried to look at the girl out of the corner of his eye. Shit…she was out of line of his angle of vision. All he was seeing was the empty bench at the opposite side of the table. He realised that his
The chef’s mystery... From page 14 MURDERED MOM, VANISHED CAR At around nine o’clock on the morning of Sunday, May 19, 2019, residents from a new housing scheme in La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, found a woman’s body lying face down in a trench, in a bushy and desolate area. The victim was 48-year-old Jennifer Bipat. She was a widow with two children, and resided at Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara. She had bought a Toyota Premio, PXX 4114, and began operating from a Goed Fortuin, West Coast Demerara taxi service. It is alleged that on the afternoon of Saturday, May 18, at around 04:30 p.m., Mrs. Bipat received a call on her cellphone. The call was reportedly from someone who wished to hire her. Mrs. Bipat allegedly told the dispatcher that she would not be returning to the base for the rest of the night. She then left. That was the last time she was seen alive. A post mortem revealed that she had been strangled and struck on the head. No one has been held and the stolen car has not been found. DEATH OFAPRESIDENTIALGUARD At around five o’clock on the morning of Monday, July 1, 2019, Presidential Guard, Constable Winston Cooper, stepped out his mother’s house, located at the corner of Mandela Avenue, East Ruimveldt. He then walked north along Mandela Avenue, to begin another round of duty at the Presidential Guard Headquarters. Shortly after, first responders from the Guyana Fire Service found Cooper lying injured and unconscious near the National Gymnasium. He was admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. Still unconscious, Winston was discharged, but succumbed on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. A postmortem report stated that death was due to “complications caused by head injuries.” Police sources have said that the corpse bore injuries, which indicated that someone had struck Cooper from behind. Security guards who had worked the night shifts at the gymnasium and nearby supermarket reportedly said they had neither seen nor heard anything amiss. CCTV cameras in the area failed to yield any clues. Cooper had reportedly told close associates that a woman, with whom he had broken off a relationship, had threatened him. Police questioned the woman and her husband, but found nothing to implicate them. Police officials at CID Headquarters have repeatedly assured that they are still working on these cases. They appear to be however, overwhelmed by other cold cases that have preceded these.
hands were trembling. He turned, and felt, for the second time that night, as if someone had punched him to the gut. She was turned towards the punch-box, a hand in her thick black hair as she stared at him. The shadow of a smile touched her eyes and her wide mouth. He felt a tightness in his throat. He felt the prickling of something at his eyes that he knew couldn’t be tears. He stepped towards the table like a swimmer pulled by a tide that he knew would drown him, but not caring; not seeing the grinning, red-faced man sitting a few feet from the punch-box; unaware of the staring, middle-aged man with the Kangol. He stood at the table, again uncertain, but the girl’s smile was one of welcome. “Stranger,” she said. Her voice a song. He took a deep breath, then sat next to her. He sensed that something about her had changed. Somehow, she seemed slimmer and paler then he had remembered. Despite her smile, he sensed a tension in her. He hesitated for a moment, then placed a hand on hers. “Mi-kal…” Again, he felt a tightness in his throat, a prickling behind his eyes that he knew couldn’t be tears. “Lucille, I want to explain—” She squeezed his hand. “Mi-kal, it’s alright.” But still he wanted her to know that he hadn’t betrayed her. “Lucille, I didn’t—” “I know,” she said. Then she leaned forward, and the soft, wide mouth was on his; her arms encircling his neck, one smooth thigh on his. Suddenly she broke away and cried out softly in his ear. He clung to her, gorging himself on her softness, wondering how he’d been so foolish to stay away from her. “Mi-kaal.” Again, that pain-wracked cry. “I can’t—I can’t…” He felt her arms tighten around him. A kind of tremor ran through her, and he stifled a cry of surprise as she bit down hard on his shoulder. Holding her, he was suddenly seized with an intense, disturbing feeling that they were no longer in the brothel, but somewhere else; alone in a place of trees and rivers—a cave? “Still playing yuh games, Spanish girl?” The voice nearby, loud, contemptuous, startled him back to reality. Michael turned. The large-headed, redfaced man was standing near their table. He was staring at them—at Lucille, really— grinning and sneering at the same time. “Ankoko!” he said. “Near the Venez border! —Yuh still doan remember me?” Up close, the man looked
more intimidating. Someone had cut him badly long ago on the right cheek. He smelt of cigarettes and whiskey. The girl clutched Michael. He stole a quick glance at her. She was staring at the man, a slight frown suggesting puzzlement, the slanting eyes suggesting disinterest. The man grinned and rubbed his balding scalp. “I had all me nice, curly hair back then. I was looking at you whole night and saying, “No, Jason Marcus, it can’t be!” Now he shifted the empty bench away from the table and leaned to Lucille. “But I know is you, Spanish girl!” Despite the punch-box music, Michael sensed a perceptible lull in the sounds around him. Even the occasional clinking of glasses seemed to have subsided. Michael’s hand tightened around his empty ale bottle. This man was hunting trouble. Where was the barman? He wanted to turn around to see if the barman had noticed what was going on, but he didn’t want to take his eyes off the man. Then Lucille spoke: “Mister, I am not the one you want to make trouble with.” Her voice was soft, seemingly devoid of anger. The man’s grin wavered. He now seemed uncertain, puzzled, as if something in the girl’s voice had penetrated his drunkenness. But then he grabbed the girl’s hand. The cider bottle on the table crashed to the floor as he pulled her forward. Michael smashed his bottle into the man’s face. The interloper stumbled backwards, clutching at his nose, and Michael scrambled away from the table, and followed him. There was a roaring and a heat in his brain that blotted out everything else but the need to inflict pain. Now he smashed the bottle down on man’s head. Glass flew as the bottle shattered. The man’s legs buckled, but he remained on his feet. Kill him! —KILL HIM! Michael dropped the remnants of the bottle, and aimed his fist at a spot below the man’s belly, and struck viciously. He heard the man emit a grunt of pain, and he knew that there won’t be any fight in the man, but like a wound-up, punching machine, he was hitting…hitting…hitting… Someone grabbed him from behind; he tried to scramble free, and then he heard the barman’s voice in his ear saying: “Easy friend, easy…” But still he tried to break free. The man was now leaning on the table near the punch-box, head lowered as blood streamed from his
nose. The barman shook Michael. “Easy, dread,” and he heard the stevedore say: “Cool yuh head, partner.” Abruptly, the rage faded, and he was trembling and breathing in harsh, ragged spasms. His jersey clung to him, sweat-soaked. His hands hurt. He stared at the faces surrounding him. The barman relaxed his grip. “Yuh alright, now, youthman?” “I…alright.” But he was still trembling. The barman seemed to hesitate, then released Michael. He watched as Desmond stepped towards the injured man, who was still sitting on the table, with blood dripping onto the floor. A tall, thin man with a receding chin stood near him. Desmond shook his head as he stared at the injured man. “Jason Marcus, I expect better from a old soldier like you, man. Me and you go a long way, and I just turn me back for one minute to take a piss, and you start trouble in my place!” The injured man remained silent, head lowered. The tall man with the receding chin pulled a kerchief from his pocket. He pushed it into his injured friend’s hand. “Jason…hay buddy.” As if in a trance, Jason Marcus swabbed halfheartedly at his bloodied nose, then dropped the kerchief. As if the act had revived him, he raised his head and stared at Michael. He tried to smile, but instead winced in pain. Still staring at Michael he said, through a bloody grin, “Sleep…with one eye …open… youth man. In fact, sleep with—” The barman stepped closer. “Marcus, you threatening my customer? — Wait! You want to brawl with me now?” The man with the receding chin laid a pacifying hand on the barman. “Ah right, Desmond, he ain’t mean nothing.” He turned to Marcus. “Leh we get outta here now, squaddie.” The tall man mumbled an apology to Desmond, then put an arm around his injured friend. Wincing, Jason Marcus forced himself upright and Michael watched the two men hobble towards the stairs. Just before they headed down, Marcus turned to stare at him. “Ask…Spanish
girl…about the…boy… by…the border…” Then he turned and disappeared down the steps… * She shut the bedroom door, then clung to him, trembling in that strange, exciting way she’d done at the table. Then he was on the bed, with the girl above him, and scarcely remembering how he’d gotten there. For a moment he was seized by the feeling of having stepped unknowingly to the edge of some perilous place; and a small voice warned him to retreat; but she pursued him, and like a weakened swimmer he let go…let go; spinning, tumbling into the chasm, the pit, the black hole, the tomb… * Vibert Sealey watched as they walked down the corridor. He wanted to shout after the boy, to drag him back, but then the feeling subsided. He headed down the brothel stairs, feeling foolish. All the way home he thought of the girl, who looked, smelled, and acted like the girl from Kamarang: the girl that a drunk ex-soldier thought he’d known in his youth. It made him think of the boy, who he was sure was the same boy he’d passed in Lombard Street about three weeks ago. He thought of how, on seeing them sitting so intimately, something had seemed to fit together in his mind. He found himself worrying, once again, about the boy. He wanted to return; he regretted he hadn’t called out to him and told him something. He sucked his teeth angrily. What was he worrying about? Despite his cute looks, the boy could obviously handle himself. But hadn’t he said the same thing about the other boy, too? (Taken from the supernatural novel Kamarang by Michael Jordan. Book design and illustrations by Harold Bascom.) Copies of the illustrated edition of Kamarang are on sale at Austin’s Book Store, and on Amazon (Kindle and paperback) The author can also be contacted for autographed copies on +592 645 2447 or by email: kmarangnight@gmail.com)
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Barbados PM to visit CARICOM secretariat FOR RENT
SERVICES
FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040
Freezer & Quality used restaurant equipment. Call: 618-5080
Snackette for rent, Mobile snackettes, price $20,000 monthly. Tel# 697-6311
Prime piece of hand at La Grange Public Road 300ft X 100ft $100,000 US Dollar.Contact Annie 6950333.
Ransom (Concrete mixers), Scaffolding, Power washer, compactors, hire truck service etc, free delivery. Telephone: 610-5360. Email: dmdscaffolding@yahoo.com
ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC’S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822 House plan to draw or estimate. Call: 216-0671/6928464. Whatsapp #622-0267 We repair Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washer, Dryer-Call#231-0655/ 683-8734 Omar. Preparation of VAT returns, Form 2A, 7B, Income & property tax computation. Call: 671-8333/665-8543
Computer with webcam. CD/ DVD, Print adaptable. 9" x 12" screen size, Owner migrating $40,000 neg. Tel #592-6390436 Foreign used heavy machinery. Trucks & spare parts for sale. Contact PartZone Gy. #694-4489 TO LET Self contain rooms for working couple/single person $35,000 monthly, Light & water, Lodge. Call: 623-0076, 2 months security
Care for elderly, care for children, First Aid & CPR. Call: 227-4881 ACCOMMODATION
PROPERTY FOR SALE
PEN PAL
Transported land 11.6 acres, Lot 15 Public Road #2 Village W.C.B/ce 5 mins from B/ce bridge.Contact#686-4818/6487109.
One 3 Story building at 97 Sugar Cane St.S/Rveldt Gdns $125,000,000.Tel#674-9905/ 695-1365/225-2971. 3- Storey unfinished building, Lot 1486 Plot B Herstelling EBD. 2 storey unfinish building, Lot 1488 Onderneeming WBD. #6093777/697-4557/641-3893/6860522 House and land available at Parfaite, Tuschen, Diamond etc. Contact Pacific Development Inc. 223-6035/ 604-4909
DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL & TOW TRUCK SERVICE:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE#698-7807.
EDUCATION
Aracari Hotel -WBD (Near Bridge)-Pool etc.Open 24 Hours.From $25 USD.Phone 264-2946/8
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2 bedroom house in Herstelling $40,000 monthly, 1 month rent, 2 month security. Call: 696-1680
1-2 bedroom apartment preferable 2 working people or 2 student, Albert St. Call: 2315695
Lot 89 Robb street Lacytown, Georgetown. Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size-3431.25 Sq.ft.Phone:617-5323/6668052.
Parfaite Harmonie front $4M,$3M,$2.5M, Providence $5M, Herstelling $5M. Call: 666-2326
2 bedroom concrete fully furnished apartment. Two story, family preferred, $800 US per month Peter’s Hall Public Road. Tel# 671-1441
Male 45 yrs seeking female companionship, 45 yrs up. Contact #665-2723 Indian Overseas male seeks female 30/35, must have good personality. Call: 602-9975 LEARN TO DRIVE N.Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square.Affordable Package.Call#644-5166/6912561/681-2808. WANTED Driver 30-55 yrs old, must have mc/mv/ml/ license. Please call: 616-6988 Experienced whole day domestic to work 3 days per week in Bel Air park, Excellent salary. Call: 500-5519 One Accounts clerk must be writing CAT, Previous work experience necessary, send application to P.O Box 16005 Bond Clerk 25-55 yrs old, East Bank area preferable. Please call: 616-6988
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Mason & Carpenter. Tel#6029469/687-2506
Wanted land to buy- Parfaite 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage Harmonie, Providence, (50,000Km).$3.4M Neg.Call Herstelling,Tuchen, Uitvlugt & elsewhere. Call: 666-2326 #649-0956.
WANTED Barman, Waitress and cook. Tel# 619-2877 Wanted land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie on the West Coast and East Bank. Tel# 697-6311 Wanted One cook for a family, must be 25-35 years old. Call: 231-8737 Wanted one maid between the age of 25-35. Call: 231-8737 Excavator operator to work with mining firm, must have experience. Contact Imran #226-9416/ 502-8587 Diesel Mechanic to work in interior, experience with perkins, duetz, doosan engines necessary. Contact Imran #226-9416/502-8587 Wanted experienced hire car drivers at Ramada Princess Georgetown Hotel. Contact # 265-7075 / 616-5419 1 Lorry Driver, must be able to work flexible hours. Contact Annie #233-3512 / 264-3720
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Prime Minister Mia Mottley, is scheduled to visit the Guyana based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat today, where she will meet with Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and others. Mottley, who is chairman of the regional grouping is also expected to host a press conference at the secretariat’s headquarters. Mottley assumed the six-month CARICOM Chairmanship on January 1. She will host her Regional colleagues in Barbados on February 18-19 for the 31st Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government.
Society remains divided... From page 12 expected to be detrimental to the physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing of the juvenile; or (e) deprivation of access to educational instruction.” During a briefing with reporters in 2016, President David Granger said that he is all for the abolition of corporal punishment in Guyana. Against this backdrop, he believes that the biblical quote, “Spare the rod and spoil the child” is “backward.” President Granger had said that there was a time when people confirmed
Bus, Car & Lorry Drivers #2253234/225-9223 Senior Kitchen assistant, Primary education & Experience driver & cashier, Apply at Hack’s Halaal with H/written application Bar/Beer Garden to rent. Tel# 695-9140 Maid. Requirements: person must be living on the East Bank. Contact# 600-6887
VACANCY Nail Technician. Contact# 223-5273/223-5274
Porters to work in Grocery Female cleaner office & home. Stall, Attractive Salary at Call: 642-9823 Stabroek Market. Tel#2269800/683-9500. Experience an Driver/Expediter. Contact# 223-5273/223-5274 asset One experienced welder to work in the interior, must have experience. Contact Imran # 226-9416/502-8587 VACANCY Driver/Expeditor. Contact # 231-0363/ Accounts Clerk. Contact # 231-0363 1 Female Office Assistant. Must have knowledge of NIS, Payroll & computer literate, Age 30 +. Contact PSGCS #621-6969, serious enquiries only Domestic. Contact# 2235273/223-5274 Female Cook/Baker for interior location. For further details. Call: 618-2020 Security Officers $85,000, Apply within @ 47 Croal St. Tel# 226-9905 or on FB page, Atlas Security Services Inc Labourers & Maintenance workers. Contact #621-6969, serious enquiries only.
faithfully to that guidance. “There was a time when (corporal punishment) was typical. People thought, spare the rod and spoil the child, but I think that is ancient and backward.” The President said that a caring parent should use non physical means to uphold discipline within the home. According to him, nonphysical forms of discipline will foster psychological health. The President said that the child will learn to handle conflicts responsibly. “When he or she goes to school they will already know how to reconcile with other children and when he or she gets married that child will already know how to solve conflict.” President Granger had also said that a child who is taught to solve a conflict by violent means will continue that cycle. “We need to remove all forms of corporal punishment from the school and in the home. Maybe 50 years, 100 years ago it might have been typical, but the days of going into a class room or a home and seeing the wild cane have passed. Intelligent, educated parents must use different means which do not involve the application of force.”
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Any contract can be renegotiated – GRA Boss “Any contract that you have is not written in stone.” That was the response given by Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, when asked whether the controversial ExxonMobil deal can be renegotiated. Statia made this and other comments during a press conference at the tax agency’s Camp street office, last Friday. The tax boss faced questions from reporters about the permanent tax holiday granted by Government to ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess and CNOOC, for their Stabroek Block operations. The Government had agreed that Guyana would pay out of its share of oil revenues, the taxes of the three oil companies with stakes in the Stabroek Block. During that discussion, Statia posited that the situation will not change unless the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) is changed. He also said that one would have the right to renegotiate a contract if the circumstances under which the contract was originally signed have changed. Asked if that is possible for Guyana, he responded “Everything is possible.” He explained that “every country” at some point has renegotiated its oil/gas contract. “Every one of them!” The tax chief’s comments bear similarity to those made by Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley in 2018, who said “There’s a role for the government in ensur-
GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia ing that the people of Trinidad and Tobago, while being participants in this very lucrative business, get more than crumbs that fall off the table”. Trinidad & Tobago has since gone on to renegotiate several contracts with oil & gas companies it does business with. Statia’s comments are also given credence by Papua New Guinea’s experience with ExxonMobil. The oil major’s gas project with the nation was described in a report as parasitic, because it turned out to leave the nation worse off than it was. Learning from its mistake, the Government of Papua New Guinea sought to get better terms. Even recently, in discussions with ExxonMobil on the expansion of the gas project, the Papua New Guinea Gov-
ernment scrapped the talks because the company continued to offer unfavourable terms. Kaieteur News reported last month how that project beared several similarities to Guyana’s case. (https:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2020/01/05/exxons-parasiticproject-in-papua-newguinea-bears-similarities-toguyana/) In Guyana’s case, Government has been beckoned for years by several sections of the public to renegotiate the Stabroek PSA, described as lopsided and unfair. The Papua New Guinea experience underscored the need to release all economic models, a report stated. Guyana has been urged to do the same by Former Petroleum Advisor to the President, Dr. Jan Mangal. But, even that, Government will not do.
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Monday February 03, 2020
Djokovic puts down Thiem coup to win eighth Australian crown MELBOURNE (Reuters) Novak Djokovic endured a fierce challenge to his Melbourne Park reign before overhauling Dominic Thiem 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 in a thriller yesterday to clinch an eighth Australian Open crown and reclaim the world number one ranking. Under siege for much of a riveting four-hour slog, the defending champion found himself behind after three sets for the first time in eight finals at Rod Laver Arena. But as he so often does, the steely-eyed Serb found a way to win, defying a crowd that was shamelessly behind the underdog Austrian. He captured the decisive break in the third game of the final set, then locked down the match to secure his 17th
Grand Slam title as a tiring Thiem bowed out with guns blazing.“This is definitely my favorite court, my favorite stadium in the world and I am blessed to hold this trophy again,” said Djokovic after being handed the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup by 2005 winner Marat Safin. Claiming the win when the fifth seed fired wide, Djokovic dropped his racket, spread his arms wide and walked to the net in a subdued celebration. It had easily been his toughest battle in a Melbourne decider since the near six-hour epic against Rafa Nadal in 2012. “I was on the brink of losing the match,” he told reporters. “Could have gone a different way.”
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning his match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem. (REUTERS/Issei Kato) The Serb’s triumph meant tennis’ Big Three of Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer
Monday February 03, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Are you worried about the psychological and emotional state of a friend, Aries? Don't get yourself too worked up over it. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Your current love interest could be experiencing some family problems, Taurus. Therefore, don't expect too much scintillating conversation this evening. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Is someone you know having a birthday, Gemini? If so, beware of all the great food that will undoubtedly be brought to the party! CANCER (June 21–July 22) Are you into abstract art forms, Cancer? Today you could find yourself irresistibly drawn to them, whether blank verse, abstract painting, or New Age music. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Have you been toying with the idea of redecorating your house, Leo? If so, you might actually come up with a few solid ideas, although you'll have a difficult time deciding among them. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Emotions run high today as a love partner calls on you to discuss some troubles, Virgo. These don't directly concern you, but you’d still like to see them straightened out, as you tend to feel helpless when someone you care for is upset.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A close friend or your love partner may present you with a gift, Libra. You'll be touched but you'll also feel uncomfortable. Maybe the present is costly or not something you really like. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Love matters may seem to be far worse than they really are, Scorpio. Emotion runs high as your current love interest seems preoccupied and uncommunicative; however, it wouldn't be a good idea to let your insecurities get the best of you and lash out. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Is your imagination brimming over with ideas for new projects, Sagittarius? Are you drawing upon old memories for inspiration? CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Are you suddenly falling for an old friend, Capricorn? This may have you confused and a little frightened since you've never viewed this person in this way before. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Are you in love, Aquarius? You might find that thoughts of your beloved haunt you today, even while you're apart. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A picture of an art object from a different culture could arouse some strange feelings in you, Pisces. You won't know why, but it will spark a new interest in that culture.
have now shared the last 13 majors between them - dating back to the Swiss’s 2017 Melbourne win. Thiem was consigned to his third defeat in a Grand Slam final following losses in the last two French Open deciders to Nadal. REVENGE SOON “Unreal what you are doing through all these years.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Austria’s Dominic Thiem pose with their trophies after the match. - (REUTERS/Issei Kato) You and two other guys have brought men’s tennis to a completely new level,” the 26year-old told Djokovic at the trophy ceremony. “Well I fell a little bit short but I hope I can get revenge soon.”While Thiem started heavy-legged after needing a combined eight hours to beat Nadal and Alexander Zverev in his previous two matches,
Djokovic charged out of the blocks to take the first set. But the match turned on its head at 4-4 in the second when he became flustered after being called twice for breaching the service clock. As he returned to his chair fuming, he paused to sarcastically pat chair umpire Damien Dumusois’s sneaker, telling the Frenchman: “Great job man, you made yourself famous in this match, especially for the second one. Well done.”Conceding the set with a terrible backhand, a shellshocked Djokovic lost six games in a row as Thiem, blasting winners virtually at will, roared to a 4-0 lead in the third.Djokovic appeared listless and sapped of energy, and he called for the trainer after holding serve. But he underwent no treatment and resumed after an exchange of words.He later left the court for a medical time-out which prompted tennis pundits to accuse him of gamesmanship, not for the first time in the Serb’s decorated career. It looked gloomy for Djokovic as an energized Thiem took the third set, but the match turned again when the Austrian double-faulted to concede two break points, then blasted a forehand long to fall 5-3 behind in the fourth. In a flash, Djokovic had served out the set to love, sealing it with an ace. Having spent about six hours more on court than Djokovic at the tournament, the strain of a long campaign took its toll on Thiem - but he refused to crumble in the fifth. He had two chances to break back in the fourth game but Djokovic nervelessly canceled the threat before grinding to the finish. He became the third man to win the same Grand Slam at least eight times, joining Nadal with his 12 French Open crowns and Federer who has triumphed eight times at Wimbledon.
Monday February 03, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Seven athletes qualify at AAG CARIFTA Trials By Calvin Chapman he Athletics Asso ciation of Guyana (AAG) held their fourth development meet of the year and first Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) trials yesterday at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC) on the West Coast of Demerara. Following the action yesterday, seven athletes have booked their places in the trip to Bermuda this Easter weekend after making the CARIFTA standards (CS) in their respective events. The athletes are We s l e y Ty n d a l l , R a n d y Hamilton, Adriel Austin, Keliza Smith, Annalisa Barclay, Princess Browne and Trevon Hamer. Out of the seven athletes that made the CS, five hail from the Running Braves Athletics Club (RBAC).
T
Keliza Smith (RBAC) made the CS in the girls under-20 Long Jump with a top distance of 5.86m, while Annalisa Barclay (Upper Demerara) leapt 5.75m also in the girls’ under-20 Long Jump to guarantee her place at the 49th edition of the games. Wesley Tyndall of RBAC soared to an impressive 7.02m in the boys’ under-17 long jump, some distance ahead of the nearest competitor Trevon Hamer who leapt 6.36m. However, Hamer; a New Cambellville Secondary School student that is a member of the Mercury Fast Laners, came out successful in the boys’ under-17triple jump, surpassing the CS with a distance of 13.75m. Hamilton (RBAC) speared a satisfactory distance of 59.28m in the boys’ under-20 Javelin Throw to qualify for
Annalisa Barclay the 2020 CARIFTA Games. 2019 CARIFTA triple jump Bronze Medalist, Princess Browne, will be returning this year in a bid to increase her medal haul after making the CS with her first attempt in the
Trevon Hamer of Mercury Fast Laners. girls’ under-17 division, marginally clearing 11.60m qualifying distance with an 11.62m effort. Adriel Austin (RBAC) was the lone track athlete that made the CS in her event.
Keliza Smith and Randy Hamilton of Running Braves Austin registered a blistering 2m 16s in the girls’ under-17 800m, some three seconds faster than the CS. There are two more CARIFTA trials remaining before the event gets under-
way this April and the athletes along with the AAG administration are confident of another decent team representing Guyana in 2020 as was the case in the more recent CARIFTA meets.
FIFA ends intervention in African Lara on board for bushfire relief football (Reuters) - FIFA is ending its six-month intervention in African soccer’s governing body, it said yesterday, after the mission to speed up the reform of football on the continent was “successfully completed”. World soccer ’s ruling body also confirmed that its secretary general Fatma Samoura’s role as “general delegate for Africa” had ended on Feb. 1. FIFA effectively took over the running of African football after the corruption scandals which consumed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) last year, including allegations against CAF president Ahmad Ahmad which he has denied. FIFA confirmed at the time that Ahmad, a former cabinet minister in his native Madagascar, was being investigated by its ethics committee although he was not suspended. Ahmad was also
The logo of FIFA is seen in front of its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland September 26, 2017. (REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann) briefly detained and questioned by French authorities in June as part of a corruption investigation. A number of proposals were presented to the CAF executive committee in Rabat on Sunday following the end of the mission, FIFA said. These included the creation of a group of professional referees, financed by FIFA in partnership with CAF, and the creating of a $1 billion fund to invest in infrastructure, including stadiums, in all 54 African member associations.It was also proposed to create a pan-African
league, outlined by FIFA president Gianni Infantino in a speech on Saturday, and seek new initiatives in women’s football, youth categories and national team competitions. A 100-point “good governance” plan was also proposed. “FIFA is satisfied that the joint effort made with CAF was done and delivered within the initial proposed time frame,” FIFA said.“(It) reiterates FIFA’s commitment to be at the disposal of African football to assist in the process of raising its level to the top of the world.”
MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Brian Lara has joined fellow West Indies legend Courtney Walsh in confirming his participation for next Saturday’s Bushfire Cricket Bash fundraising match. The 50-year-old Lara is widely viewed as the finest batsman of his generation with 11 953 runs in 131 Tests at an average of 52 and 10 405 runs from 299 One-Day Internationals at 40. Lara, a former West Indies captain, still holds the record for the highest score in Tests with 400 not out and in firstclass cricket with 501 not out. The Trinidadian will form part of a dazzling line up for the relief match which will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground and will be in the form of a 10-overs per side affair. There will be a five-over power-play, no bowling restrictions will be enforced and captains will be allowed to substitute fielders and batsmen during innings.
Great former West Indies batsman Brian Lara. Former Australia captain Michael Clarke, wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, Pakistan’s legendary left-arm speedster, Wasim Akram and retired I n d i a n b a t s m a n Yu v r a j Singh are all set to participate. Australian spin legend S h a n e Wa r n e a n d e x Aussie Test captain Ricky Ponting will lead the teams for the game, with the lineups set to be determined shortly. However, iconic former India batsman Sachin
Tendulkar will coach the Ponting XI while Walsh, the Windies’ record wicket-taker in Tests, will coach Warne’s XI.The relief match is one of three games on the day with the Big Bash final and a women’s Twenty20 International between Australia and India also scheduled. Raging bushfires across Australia have already killed 33 people, destroyed nearly 28 acres of bush, forest and parks and plunged the country into crisis.
Reggae Girls, St Kitts miss out on Tokyo after heavy defeats EDINBURG, Texas, CMC – Jamaica’s Reggae Girls’ dreams of a historic appearance in Tokyo later this year were shattered here Saturday when they were hammered 90 by red-hot Canada.Playing in their second Group B match of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship, Jamaica had few answers to Canada’s ruthless attack and were already down 3-0 at the halftime whistle.Their Caribbean counterparts St Kitts and
Nevis suffered a similar fate when they were thrashed 6-0 by powerhouses Mexico in the other game in the group.With the defeats, both Jamaica and St Kitts were eliminated with a game – between themselves tomorrow – remaining. Already with a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in last Wednesday’s opener, Jamaica desperately needed a victory to remain in contention for a place at the Tokyo Olympics, and add to their achievement
of having qualified for last year’s FIFA World Cup in France.However, they were sunk by the irrepressible Jordy Huitema who scored five goals while Janine Beckie added a hat-trick, in what was a distinctly lopsided affair at H.E.B Park.The France-based Huitema opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Deanne Rose doubled the lead six minutes later and Beckie got her first on the stroke of half-time.The floodgates opened in the second
half as Canada dominated. Beckie added her second in the six minutes following the resumption and a Huitema 55th minute header put the Canadians 5-0 up.Huitema finished clinically in the 62nd before Beckie completed her hat-trick four minutes later with a right-footed volley, and the rest of the encounter belonged to Huitema as she added goals in the 81st and injury time.St Kitts, meanwhile, found themselves at the end of yet another drub-
bing after losing their opener to Canada 11-0.There were down 3-0 inside the first 10 minutes thanks to strikes from Kiana Palacios, Jimena Lopez and Stephany Mayor, and Renae Cuellar’s clinical rightfooted finish in the 22nd minutes ensured the game was all but over at half-time with the Caribbean minnows behind 40.Cuellar scored early in the second half and Liliana Mercado put an exclamation mark on the performance with a 76th minute header.
Canada forward Jordy Huitema … netted five goals against Jamaica.
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Monday February 03, 2020
Kaieteur News
6th Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge
Linden’s Omisi Williams aiming for the center podium spot By Franklin Wilson hile his third place overall finish last year was encouraging, Linden’s Omisi Williams has indicated that he is going all out for the center podium place this time around when the 6th Kares Crossfit and Lotus Hardware Caribbean Fitness Challenge comes off on Sunday with well over Four Million dollars in cash up for grabs. All the action will unfold at the National Park Tarmac where thirty-one of the best in the business, male and females from Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname w i l l c o l l i d e . Williams, who has had a bit of exposure at the regional level and would have competed against some of the regional athletes destined for Guyana, disclosed that while he would not be taking anyone for granted, he is confident of excelling this time around. ”Well my confidence level is at its peak for the competition. I’ve been putting in
W
some overtime work since I was notified about this competition, working on my weakness, improving my strengths and reviewing tapes from the previous competitions, just to see where I was lagging. The focus is always to be on the middle of the podium and to get there my plans are to be in the top rankings for the very first event. I have a history of bad first event placement and that’s my biggest downfall but, none of that this year.” Just in his third year of competition, Williams would have to be at his A-game if he is to challenge and seek to dethrone defending champion, Dillon ‘The Beast’ Mahadeo who is going after his fifth consecutive title in the six year history of the competition. Training he said has been very taxing given the fact that, since Linden does not have some of the equipment he has to make the long trek to the city to ensure that he has access to same.
”Training has been intense as I would have indicated to you in previous conversations that some equipment we don’t have in Linden, so I make the sacrifice of heading to the Georgetown just to get exposure to that equipment. On this note, I just want to extend thanks to KaresCrossfit for granting me access to their facility when I’m in Georgetown. I’d also like to express gratitude to Perry’s Fitness Gym where I train in Linden, free of charge.” Commenting on the overseas athletes, Williams posited that to be the best you have to beat the best so he welcomes the overseas athletes to Guyana. ”It’s not easy trying the beat these guys, I have had a few encounters with some of them from last year’s competition, the Surinamese and then when I was in Trinidad I competed against some of them and the Bajan who is coming. They’re really, really good so if we want to represent Guyana and keep the 592 flag
Sinclair slams century for GYO in drawn encounter
Divesh Ramjattan
Jason Sinclair
Jason Sinclair struck a fine unbeaten century, but Ace Warriors managed to hold on for a draw against Gandhi Youth Organisation when the Georgetown Cricket Association/ Noble House Sea Foods second division twoday tournament continued yesterday. Leading by 191, GYO declared on 226-6 in 24 overs, batting a second time. Sinclair struck 17 fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 101 off 56 balls while Chris Deonarine made an even
half century. Set 418 to win, Ace Warriors closed on 128-9 off 36 overs. N. White made 40, while Mark Cumberbatch scored 30 not out. Divesh Ramjattan captured 3-24 off 10 overs, while Demeter Cameron took 2-14.The second day’s play started at 12:15 hrs due to early morning showers which resulted in seepage onto the pitch. Scores: GYO 272 and 226-6 dec. drew with Ace Warriors 81 and 128-9.
Omisi Williams competing at the 2019 edition of the Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge on the podium, we have to step our game up, bring our A game.” Meanwhile, the prizes are as follows, 1st Place $500,000, 2nd Place $400,000, 3rd Place $300,000, 4th Place $200,000 and 5th Place $100,000. Every other athlete will be given a participation award of $15,000. KaresCrossFit and Lotus
Hardware will also recognise athletes age 30 and over and in this regard the top three would be rewarded as follows; 1st Place $100,000, 2nd Place $75,000 and 3rd Place $50,000. Sponsors for the event are KaresCrossFit, Lotus Hardware, AnsaMcAl with their I Cool Water and Lucozade brands, MVP Sports, Berkinstock Guyana, Pollo
Tropical, Star Party Rentals, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Fitness Express and Genesis Fitness Gym. Tickets for the event are on sale at KaresCrossfit Queenstown, Genesis Fitness Gym - Durban Street, and Fitness Express - Sheriff Street at $1000 each, children Under 10 would be admitted free of charge.
Seebarran to make radical debut this season
Go-kart and group one champion, Raymond Seebarran, will be taking his racing to the next level this season on the SR3 Radicals scene after striking a deal with Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) based racing outfit ‘Team Fast Parts’ that is owned by Trinidadian Jerry Abdul. Seebarran, speaking with Kaieteur Sport, express delight with the opportunity and he posited that this is a welcomed challenge since he has basically conquered the local competition. “I am getting the hang of the car fast although this is my first time behind the wheel of the radical and I love it. During my first training at Bushy Park (Barbados) I turned in some decent times with my best in the mid 59 seconds but me and my team have already identified the mistakes I am making and we will get it fixed in time for the first meet in March”, Seebarran noted. Seebarran is being trained by Kokoro Performance that is based in England and he is set to return to Barbados in a few weeks’ time for another round of Radicals’ racing training. The Radicals Caribbean Cup lasts six rounds with two each in Barbados, T&T and one each in Jamaica and
Raymond Seebarran and his Team Fast Parts radical. Guyana at the November International Race meet. Seebarran will be in competitive action when round one speeds off on March 15-16 in Barbados. Apart from Team Fast Parts, Seebarran has received invaluable support from Fast Parts Limited, Garage 61,
Richtune, C.R. Boodoosingh & Sons, Techpoint Tuning, HB4 Tuning, Bhola’s Marketing, Bushy Park Circuit Inc., Ray’s One Stop Auto Parts, Crumbs N’ Cream Café, Clearview Windscreen Repairs, Big Kahuna Hot Dogs and Express Designs. (Calvin Chapman)
Monday February 03, 2020
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Kaieteur News
GCA’s NBS 2nd division 40 overs cricket Nannan, Forrester & LaRose spur GCC to lead
Keon Franklyn, Devon Allen
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aj Nannan hit 67 while Winston Forrester and Carlos LaRose had four wickets each to spearhead GCC to a 62-run win against MYO in a top of the table clash in the GCA’s NBS second division 40 overs cricket tournament at Bourda yesterday. GCC opted to bat first on a good track and fast outfield and led by a 75-run sixth wicket partnership between Nannan, who hit six fours and two in his 48-ball 67 and Skipper Devon Lord, who reached the boundary twice and cleared it three times in his 45, GCC were bowled out for 217 in 39 overs.
Raj Nannan top scored for GCC
Movindra Dindyal, who hit five fours in 44 ball 35 and Forrester with a cameo 34 from just 19 balls with five fours and a six supported with the bat as Christopher Surat (4-21), Timour Mohammed (4-44) and Rudolph Singh (2-32) bowled well for MYO who were dismissed for 155 in 36.4 overs. Richard Latif led the fight with 63 from 73 balls with five fours and two sixes and added 97 for the second wicket with Skipper Kemraj Ramdeen who contributed 40 from 74 balls with a single six but nobody else got into double figures. LaRose, who removed Singh at
Richard Latif made 63 yesterday at Bourda in a losing effort.
7-1, finished with 4-29 in an impressive spell of seam bowling, while offspinner Forrester had a good all round day at the office by capturing 4-27 and was on a hat-trick when Surat and Naveed Ali were trapped LBW off consecutive balls. MYO slipped from 100-1 when Latif with three fours and four sixes from 68 balls, who reached his fifty by dumping Forrester onto the Hockey Court, hit Lord to long-on and lost their last nine wickets for 55 runs despite Ramdeen’s solid innings. But when Ramdeen was LBW to
Carlos LaRose (left) and Winston Forrester took four wickets each for GCC yesterday.
Forrester at 124-4, the end was shift at MYO were replaced at the top of the points table by GCC who started the game in second place. In the other game at the Queen’s College ground, Transport beat Bel Air Rubis by four wickets with Transport dismissing Bel Air Rubis, who were asked to bat on the rough and sandy ground, for 207 in 38.5 overs and responding with 208-6 in 28.2 overs. Bel Air Rubis were looking good when Keon Franklyn, who made 85 with nine fours and four sixes and Orlando Persaud, who hit 48 with six
fours and two sixes, were batting. But once they were dismissed, only Shivnarine Budhu with 32 decorated with three fours and six, offered resistance as Transport Skipper Shawn Massiah (4-34) and Mark Baptiste (2-35) bowled well. Transport were led to victory by Devon Allen who smashed four fours and five sixes in an attractive 75 and got support from Sunil Singh who scored 38 with six boundaries which included a six. Massiah was unbeaten 20 as Dexter Jones took 2-38 and Ganesh Balkaran had 2-42 in a losing effort. (Sean Devers)
Billingy cops gold; Johnson, Van Lange through to final
Jonathan Van Lange (left) and Elishaba Johnson Jasmine Billingy Jasmine Billingy turned in an outstanding performance to win the final of the Women’s U21 category when the Guyana Table Tennis Association Senior National Championship continued yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Billingy beat Thuraia Thomas 3 sets to one before getting the better of Crystal Melville 3-0 and Samara Sukhai 3-1 as she chalked six points to emerge as champion. Thomas took the runner up spot while Melville finished in third position.
Elishaba Johnson and Jonathan Van Lange won their respective semi final encounters in the B Class open and Men’s U21 singles. They were set to face off in the finals last night. Johnson beat Isaiah Layne by four sets to two, while Van Lange overcame Brandon Belle 4-1 in the semi finals of the B Class open. In the semi finals of the U21 Men’s singles, Johnson defeated Layne 3-2, while Van Lange beat Colin Wong 3-0. In the Men’s round robin play
Action in the Men’s B Class category between Isaiah Layne and Elishaba Johnson.
off, Shemar Britton beat Krystian Sahadeo 3-0 and Narren Persaud 30 to advance to the last 16; Sahadeo also made it through from the group with a 3-1 win over Persaud. Christopher Franklin advanced after topping his group with wins over Terrence Rausch and Shavin Green; both being 3-0. Rausch also advance with a 3-0 win against Green.Joel Alleyne registered 3-0 victories over Warren Hackshaw and Carl Handy respectively to secure his spot in the last 16, while
Hackshaw beat Handy 3-0 to advance. Nigel Bryan and Isaiah Layne cemented their places in the quarter finals; Bryan earned 3-0 wins over Layne, Remy Taitt and Carring Hector, while Layne won 3-0 against Taitt and Hector. Johnson and Devon Richmond emerged from their group; Johnson beat Richmond 3-2, Abdool Rahim 3-0 and Mark Evans 3-0. Richmond overcame Rahim 3-0 and Evans 3-0.Van Lange won 3-1, 3-0 and 3-2 against Colin France,
Kyle Chung and Troy Mc Rae in that order to book his spot, while France, with 3-0, 3-2 wins over Chung and Mc Rae respectively also advanced. Jonathan Sankar and Edinho Lewis earned their spots in the quarter finals; Sankar beat Lewis 3-0 and Gerendra Mookram 3-0, while Lewis overcame Cummings 3-0 and Mookram 3-0. Also earning their places in the last 16 are Brandon Belle, Levi Percival, Jamal Nicholas and Orin Hickinson. (Zaheer Mohamed)
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Monday February 03, 2020
Kaieteur News
2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship
Rodriguez bags brace to lead Costa Rica past Haiti Houston, Texas – Raquel Rodriguez bagged a brace to lead Costa Rica past Haiti 2-0 in Group A of the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship on Friday at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. Both of Rodriguez’s goals came in the second half, giving her nine career CWOQ goals. Haiti had a strong start and created the majority of the chances in the first half, but were unable to finish when in front of the Costa Rican goal. The Ticas hung tough in defence and then would break the deadlock in the 57’ from a set piece, as a Katherine Alvarado free kick was whipped into the area and headed into goal by Rodriguez for a 1-0 Costa Rica lead. Nine minutes later in the 66’, Rodriguez would double the lead 2-0 when she collected a pass from Shirley Cruz and fired in a right-footed
shot for her second of the night. Haiti refused to throw in the towel though and Nerilia Mondesir was mere inches from halving the deficit when her swerving, rightfooted shot hit the crossbar. In the end, the Costa Rican defence would hold firm to register the clean sheet win and nail down another three points. Horan hat-trick helps U.S. down Panama Lindsey Horan scored a hat trick to help the United States down Panama 8-0 in Group A of the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship on Friday at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. With the result, both the U.S. and Costa Rica have advanced to the CWOQ semifinals. The U.S. got off to a quick 1-0 start when Horan pounced on a loose ball to net the opener in the 3’. Lynn
Williams calmly rounded Panama GK Yenith Bailey and swept in a left-footed shot to double the advantage to 2-0 in the 15’. Horan got her second three minutes later to extend it to 3-0 when another ball squirted loose in front of goal. Williams then played the role of playmaker by crossing for Rose Lavelle, who had an easy push into net to stretch the lead to 4-0 in the 21’. The Panamanian defence would firm up until the 70’ when the U.S. broke through again 5-0, this time from Christian Press. Two minutes later it was Jessica McDonald making it 6-0, firing in a shot off a deflection. Tobin Heath added her name to the scorehseet in the 79’ with a strong right-footed finish, before Horan scored her third and final goal of the night to complete the 8-0 scoreline.
Costa Rica forward Raquel Rodriguez (11) falls while chasing the ball as she is pushed from behind by Haiti forward Nerilia Mondesir (10). (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
India seal 5-0 whitewash as New Zealand suffer another meltdown Local boy Kane Williamson sat out of the Mount Maunganui T20I, and Ross Taylor made a half-century in his 100th T20I in front of his family, but New Zealand still botched another match that they should’ve won. India had rested their regular captain Virat Kohli and their stand-in captain Rohit Sharma retired hurt on 60, after hurting his left calf, but Jasprit Bumrah and co. helped India rally and secure a 5-0 whitewash. After Taylor had provided a throwback to his IPL heyday and shellacked 34 runs along with Tim Seifert in a Shivam Dube over, New Zealand needed 66 off 60 balls to pull one back in the series. This time they couldn’t even take it into a Super Over and by the time Ish Sodhi launched a pair of sixes in the last over, the game was all but up.Once Navdeep Sani had Seifert flapping a catch to midwicket for 50, New Zealand suffered another irreparable collapse, losing 6 for 25. After cramping Seifert for room, Saini returned to have a leg-side happy Taylor snicking behind for 53 off 47 balls. Bumrah, as is the norm these days, also played a crucial hand in India’s victory, yorking Daryl Mitchell and Tim Southee at the death. Rahul in the thick of the action Not too long ago, KL Rahul was a mere Mr. Fix It in India’s line-up, but he has
KL Rahul pulls during the course of his quick 45. (Getty Images) now established himself as one of the key figures in India’s white-ball sides. Although he slowed down against spin, he made it to 45 off 33 balls, and closed out the series with 224 runs in five innings at an average of 56 and strike rate of just a shade under 145. After Sanju Samson (2) opened once again and threw away another opportunity, Rahul set the early pace, cracking Southee for three boundaries in the third over, the pick of them being an exquisite lofted six over extracover. By the end of the Powerplay, Rahul claimed 33 off India’s 53. Spinners Ish Sodhi and
Mitchell Santner then tied him down in the middle overs with their clever variations in length and pace. From 33 off 17 balls, Rahul managed a mere 12 off his next 16 balls. As a result, he went searching for a scoring opportunity against Hamish Bennett and wound up scooping a leading edge to extra-cover. Rahul wasn’t done yet though. He put in another fine shift behind the stumps and juggled it with the additional responsibility of captaincy after Sharma had injured himself and didn’t take the field in the second innings. By the stroke of midnight, Rahul was soaking in India’s 5-0 win as their captain.
The New Zealand batsmen just couldn’t get on top of Jasprit Bumrah. (Getty Images) Injury cuts short a potential Sharma special After challenging India to bat first, Sharma followed a familiar template: he took his time to get his eye in and then unfurled a variety of strokes. He was on 19 off 20 balls at one point, but found a higher gear when he carved Sodhi’s flipper for four. In the next over, he heaved a long hop from Santner into the stands beyond midwicket. Sharma took Sodhi for two sixes, and progressed to his fifty off 35 balls. Just when he threated to go bananas, he seemed to have hurt his calf while running between the wickets and hobbled off the field in the 17th over. India were 140 for 2
at that point. Southee’s good lengths = bad lengths After conceding 23 runs in the Powerplay, Southee brought himself back at the death, and leaked 29 in his last two. He routinely missed his lengths and allowed India to breach 160. When Southee missed his straight yorker in the last over, Manish Pandey shovelled him over long-on for six. When Southee missed the wide yorker, Pandey scythed him over point for four. Another chapter in NZ’s horror story Colin Munro gave New Zealand’s chase of 164 some early impetus when he
slugged Washington Sundar for two fours and a six. However, Washington shifted his angle of attack to over the wicket, cramped Munro for room, and bowled him for 15 off 6 balls. Martin Guptill had been the first to go, for 2, when Bumrah pinged him on the back thigh - although ball-tracking revealed later that it would have bounced over leg stump. Seventeen for 2 became 17 for 3, when a panicstricken mix-up saw Tom Bruce fall for a second successive duck. Seifert and Taylor then revived the chase by putting on 99 in 56 balls. After settling in, Seifert unveiled the sweep against Yuzvendra Chahal and then scooped Dube for four. At the other end, Taylor got his hockey-swipes going, with 38 of his 53 runs coming on the leg side. However, Seifert’s dismissal triggered a terminal slide and there would be no way back for New Zealand again. For India, their spinners Washington and Chahal bowled an over each at the death and didn’t give up a single boundary. Shardul Thakur eventually defended 20 off the final over to prolong New Zealand’s misery. Scores: India 163 for 3 (Rohit 60 retired hurt, Rahul 45, Kuggeleijn 2-25) beat New Zealand 156 for 9 (Taylor 53, Seifert 50, Bumrah 312, Saini 2-23) by seven runs.
Monday February 03, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs win 31-20 thriller in victory over 49ers at Super Bowl LIV Yahoo Sports - MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Even as he struggled to avoid a heatedSan Francisco pass rush, even as he tossed two interceptions and even as he faced a double-digit deficit and a dwindling fourth quarter clock, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes kept grinding and kept making plays. A scramble for a first down here. A deep ball to Tyreek Hill there. Time and time again, Mahomes kept finding ways when ways didn’t seem possible as he delivered one of the bigger Super Bowl comebacks and Kansas City’s first championship in half a century. Tailing 20-10 in the middle of the fourth quarter and having not scored a point since the first half, Mahomes led the Chiefs on a 10-play, 83yard touchdown drive that included converting two third-and-longs. After the Chiefs forced a three-and-out, Mahomes gathered the team at Kansas City’s 35 and went to work. A pass to Hill. Another to Travis Kelce. Another to Hill. Then a big 38-yarder to Sammy Watkins. Finally a 5-yard touchdown pass to Damien Williams to take the lead.
The 49ers’ pass rush, which had harassed Mahomes all night (making three sacks), began to tire and slow, and the creative quarterback had the game in the palm of his hands. He was dealing like the NFL had seen him do over the course of two astounding seasons to start his career. Scrambling. Throwing. Just making plays. The Chiefs defence then held a last-ditch comeback effort by San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Kansas City’s Damien Williams added a late, 38-yard touchdown run to close out the scoring. Maybe most impressive was that no matter how rough things got throughout the game, he never stopped believing he could win the Super Bowl. On the biggest stage of his life, he hadn’t played his best. Yet Mahomes never blinked. It was the third consecutive playoff victory he and the Chiefs rallied from double digits. Mahomes finished 26-of42 for 286 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran one in. The championship was particularly sweet for Andy Reid, the Chiefs 61-year-old head coach and a mainstay in the league. Known for fielding competitive playoff
Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, tries to scramble away from San Francisco 49ers’ Dee Ford, center, and DeForest Buckner, right, during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) teams, he finally broke through in the Super Bowl. The heavy Chiefs crowd in South Florida chanted “Andy! Andy!” in the game’s
final seconds. San Francisco got on the board first courtesy of a 38yard field goal by kicker Robbie Gould, 7:57 into the
game. Mahomes scored the game’s first touchdown when he ran in from the one with 0:31 remaining in the first. The teams were tied at 10
going into halftime. Jennifer Lopez and Shakira delivered a spirited song and dance routine during the break.
Bergwijn enjoys dream debut as Tottenham sink Man City LONDON (Reuters) Steven Bergwijn made an instant impact on his Tottenham Hotspur debut with a stunning opener in his side’s 2-0 win over champions Manchester City in an incident-packed Premier League game yesterday. The Dutch midfielder, signed this week from PSV Eindhoven, produced a masterful piece of skill to chest down and sweep home a volley three minutes after City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko was shown a second yellow card on the hour.With 10-man City stretched Son Heung-min added a second in the 71st minute with a deflected effort, allowing Spurs manager Jose Mourinho to get the better of his old adversary Pep Guardiola for only the sixth time in 23 clashes. City remain 22 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool and only had themselves to blame for a sixth defeat of the season as they wasted several gilt-edged chances and missed yet another penalty when Hugo Lloris saved Ilkay
Gundogan’s spot kick. Sergio Aguero was unusually profligate, striking the post in the first half and missing two other chances as City failed to score in consecutive games for the first time under Guardiola. In the context of what has become a title race in name only, it means Liverpool can be crowned champions if they win their next six league games, having won 16 in succession. While City’s pursuit of Liverpool has long run out of steam, a second successive league win revived Tottenham’s push for a topfour finish. They have moved up to fifth in the table, four points behind London rivals Chelsea. It was a sweet moment for Mourinho who claimed his biggest scalp since replacing Mauricio Pochettino in November, although he had raged before halftime, believing City’s Raheem Sterling should have been shown a red card for a foul on Dele Alli. ‘GREAT DISCIPLINE’ “We worked hard this
Tottenham Hotspur’s Steven Bergwijn celebrates scoring their first goal with Serge Aurier and Lucas Moura. (REUTERS/David Klein) week and so pleased for the boys,” he said. “We were a bit lucky in a couple of situations, they hit the woodwork and missed chances but were very unlucky that VAR didn’t decide for a Sterling red card. “We showed great discipline. Playing one player less for them is no big deal the
way they move the ball.” Tottenham were under siege for long periods in the first half but City’s attack misfired. Lloris did superbly to turn one Aguero effort against the post, but the City striker lacked his usual ruthless finishing, spurning some glorious chances.
The game burst into life when Aguero was fouled in the area by a reckless Serge Aurier, although, as the game continued, it took referee Mike Dean nearly two minutes to stop the action and award City a penalty courtesy of a VAR check. Lloris made a great save
to deny Gundogan — City’s fourth missed penalty in their last six in all competitions — but Tottenham’s hearts were in their mouths as Sterling went sprawling under the French keeper’s lunge to stop the follow-up. This time VAR ruled in Tottenham’s favour and as tempers flared, with Tottenham’s players feeling Sterling had simulated contact, Toby Alderweireld and Zinchenko were both booked for their part in a melee. City’s territorial domination continued after the break with Gundogan firing over with the goal gaping but they were stopped in their tracks when Zinchenko ended a Harry Winks run with a crude challenge and was sent off. Tottenham took rapid advantage as Bergwijn controlled Lucas Moura’s drilled pass with his chest and delivered an instantaneous right-foot volley that arrowed past Ederson. Son then latched on to a through ball and his shot nicked off Fernandinho to nestle in the bottom corner.
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Monday February 03, 2020
Final set of teams to seal knockout berths tomorrow
Action between Leopold Street (black) and Rio All-Stars (white) in the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
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ith several teams yet to seal their respective berths to the knockout round, the final night of group action in the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal Championship commences tomorrow at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. Kingston will match skills with Island All-Stars from 19:00hrs in the opening match, while Belfield Warriors tackle Stabroek Ballers from 19:30hrs and Showstoppers oppose Avocado Ballers from 20:00hrs. In the fourth encounter, Sparta Boss battle Bad-a-Yard from 20:30hrs, while Future Stars tackle Alexander Village from 21:00hrs and Broad Street take aim at Sophia from 21:30hrs. In the final two matches, Gold is Money lock horns with Albouystown from 22:00hrs and Bent Street tangle with North East La Penitence at 22:30hrs. Meanwhile, Gold is Money, Sophia, Broad Street, Ansa McAl, Spartacus and Mocha sealed their berths to the next round. Gold is Money mauled Belfield Warriors 8-0. Michael Pedro fashioned a hat-trick in the ninth, 18th and 19th minutes while Andrew Murray bagged a double in the second and 14th minutes. Adding goals in the 12th, 16th and 17th minutes respectively were Jamal Pedro, Phillip Rowley and Randolph Wagner. On the other hand, Sophia edged Kingston 2-1. Dwayne Lowe netted in the eighth and 18th minutes. For the loser, Stephon Reynolds scored in the ninth minute. Meanwhile, Broad Street crushed Island All-
Stars 4-0. Tiquan Taylor scored three times in the 10th, 11th and 17th minutes, while Brad Evans netted in the 20th minute. Similarly Ansa McAl dismissed Back Circle 2-0. Reon Hopkinson and Akin
Curry scored in the 18th and 19th minutes respectively. Likewise, Spartacus defeated Melanie 3-1. Simeon Moore, Shamar Kowlen and Derwin Bourne scored in the second, fourth and seventh minutes apiece. For the loser, Tyreek
Part of the action from the Mashramani Cup Futsal Championship between Rio All-Stars (white) and Leopold Street at the National Gymnasium. Cummings netted in the 12th minute. Also, Mocha crushed Spot-7 by a 3-0 score. Dellon John scored in the 11th and 14th minutes, while Teon Jones netted in the 12th minute.
In other results, Albouystown defeated Stabroek Ballers 3-1, while Leopold Street and Rio AllStars battled to a 0-0 affair. Winner of the event will pocket $600,000 and the championship trophy, while
the second place side will collect $400,000 and the respective accolade. On the other hand, the third and fourth place unit will receive $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding trophy.
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Monday February 03, 2020
6th Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge
Fourteen teenagers to compete for Teen Challenge titles By Franklin Wilson ith an eye on the future, organisers, Guyana Fitness Games in association with Kares Crossfit and Lotus Hardware will for the second year be r u n n i n g o ff t h e Te e n Challenge segment of the Kares Crossfit and Lotus Hardware Caribbean Fitness Challenge set for this Sunday at the National Park Ta r m a c i n t h e C i t y. Some fourteen teenagers, eight girls and six boys, 17 and under, drawn from Linden, East Coast Demerara, Wes t Bank Demerara and Georgetown will take on each other to prove who the best is at the end of the workouts they’ll be required to do. The top three in each category would be rewarded with cash prizes, 1st place
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$30,000, 2nd place $25,000, 3rd place $20,000. Etching their names in the history books as the first ever w i n n e r o f t h e Te e n Challenge last year were Tina Praimchand for girls and Eli Armstrong for boys; new winners would be crowned this year as a new field of competitors will compete. The numbers have increased for the girls, up from five last year to eight, while the boy’s field has remained consistent at six. They’ll be required to do 50 skips, 10 burpees over bag and a 50m (20lb) bag carry; this challenge would be for three rounds with the fastest to conclude the routine, e m e r g i n g a s w i n n e r. This year’s, 6th Kares Crossfit and Lotus Hardware Caribbean Fitness Challenge will see a record four plus
Flashback! Female Teen Challenge champ Tina Praimchand is all smiles on the podium along with 2nd placed Kyla Sills (left)and Sara Sanmoogan along with the other two competitors. million dollars handed out at what is anticipated to be a very exciting and grueling e v e n t . Thirty-one athletes drawn from Trinidad and Tobago,
Barbados, Suriname, Canada and Guyana would be vying for the attractive prizes in the senior segment of the competition with the respective first place prizes
-Flashback! Inaugural Male Teen Challenge winnerEli Armstrong is flanked by 2nd placed Quacy Semple and Alex Arinda on the podium.
being a whopping $500,000. The top five athletes in each category would be rewarded but even more, every athlete on the day would receive a c a s h r e w a r d .
Fans will start absorbing the action from 13:00hrs but the event will kick off at 06:30hrs with the first contest which is not for spectators.
Cricket- not just a game for gentlemen
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hile eighteenyear-old Elyna Abrahams looks like a typical teenage girl, she also dreams of becoming a professional cricketer and “be out there like Chris Gayle.” Elyna, who is from the village of Lake Capoey, represents the region and recently participated in the 2019 Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Female InterCounty Tournament Under19 in T20. “My dream is to further my cricket career … make my community and region proud…my dream is to go higher and this can be achieved through my passion and dedication for the game and support of others and my faith in Christ,” she declared in a recent interview. During a recent visit to the community, Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton donated cricket gears to Elyna and another aspiring female cricketer, 16-year-old Nafeeza Hendricks. Elyna thanked Minister Norton for the donation. “I am grateful for this donation. We have a senior cricket
Elyna Abrahams(left) and Nafeeza Hendricks with Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton competition coming up soon and I did not have my own gear. Now I do, so I can now slay the competition,” she confidently added. Her teammate Nafaeeza has been living and breathing cricket since Grade Four. ‘I started to play for some time now with a goal in mind to represent Guyana and I have
been training really hard to do exactly that. Because of that, I have been representing the region in the Heritage Games at the Everest Club for three years. Last year was the first year I got to play hardball cricket for Essequibo,” she explained.According to Minister Norton, the
Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton keeps wicket while the girls practice decision to donate the gear to the players followed a discussion he had with them during a community outreach. It was important for him to encourage their participation as it is part of the department’s mission to promote gender equality in sport. (A DPI feature)
Elyna Abrahams
Nafeeza Hendricks
6th Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge
rt o p S Omisi Williams competing at the 2019 edition of the Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge.
2019 Top Three! Dillon ‘The Beast’ Mahadeo is flanked by Kelvin Baul (right) and Omisi Williams.
Linden’s Omisi Williams aiming for the center podium spot Trevon Hamer qualified for the boys’ under-17 triple jump.
Princess Browne
Wesley Tyndall
Seven athletes qualify at AAG CARIFTA Trials
Loneil Marks (left) stumbled at the beginning of the boys’ 200m race and although he won he couldn’t recover to make the CS.
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs win 31-20 thriller in victory over 49ers at Super Bowl LIV Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8452, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.