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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 06, 2019
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
The rise and fall of leaders
I
t may take a while, sometimes, in a tortured deterioration before the relief of progression comes. Those leaders who do not listen, who refuse to rethink and adapt, doom themselves to an inevitable fall. It might be a long time coming; but it does. In the world of sports, there is the fabled Manchester United and there is Jose Mourinho. He no longer is; now it is the asterisk, the fading of the storied manager who was. He took a well-stacked team and ran it with old ideas and old deafness and still older visions. The result was dispirited rebellious players; an underperforming group of millionaires; and a very discontented population of loyal supporters. There was no listening. The fall came: swift, abrupt, final. From Jose Mourinho in the chill of European winter it is on to Nicholas Maduro and South American heat. The temperature is scorching with the political and social thermometer climbing, even soaring with one combustible development after another. Things are so bad that there is talk of humanitarian aid from foes; there are teeth there. From the military being an option to now word off threatened civil war in that neighbouring country from the lips of the besieged leader himself. And yet he resists listening, insists on misreading the determination of both internal and external forces arrayed against; and all the while misjudging his own strengths. They deplete daily: an early defection, more coalescing, greater energy stare in the face. This leader, this president himself, stares into the abyss. That is not good for Guyana. A long, unguarded in many parts, border easily accessed stands as an inviting line of refuge and safety for the fearful. That alone could be overwhelming. And as has been common in refugee crises, the criminally-minded use that fleeing mass to conceal their own arrival. None of this is good for hospitable, but already strapped thinly stretched Guyana. It is a bad situation, however looked at, however humanely minded. It began with another before Senor Maduro. President Maduro’s predecessor, like the legend surrounding that Roman general of old, Scipio Africanus, sowed all over-land and heart and soul-with salt. He, too, did not listen and pay heed. Today, the successor leader follows in his footsteps, imitates what has failed and hurt and divided. He is not listening; he continues while the fate of a people hangs in the balance. And there is another leadership lesson for Guyana. Those who do not listen make themselves vulnerable to a hard push and the fall waiting to follow. That hard, jarring push came to the Guyana government and its leaders in December last. Even viewed in the most generous fashion, because of leadership rejection of the expectations of disillusioned people, including its own, there was a fall. No matter how limited; at the v e r y l e a s t , a government exists in a precarious place and time; it totters. Now there is this scrambling, repositioning for continuity. Thus, there is this pulling out of one stop after another for purposes interpreted in an unfavorable light. That is the right of the government, and it (wisely or thoughtlessly) shelters under a constitution, long damned by one and all, to find solace in every available harbor. Perhaps, there will b e l i s t e n i n g a n d responding accordingly, as circumstances and future opportunities permit. As if not to be outdone, the opposition through its leader all along heard a single sound: his voice. It did not care to listen to the concerned, sometimes outraged and insulted, voices of its own pleading for a reconsideration. Thus, leaders falter and fall ignominiously.
Maturity and reasonableness required at this 4. The meeting in tion. GECOM has provided critical juncture January between teams some options for the holding DEAR EDITOR, Yes, yet another letter from me. I now seem to be rivaling one GHK Lall. But I believe that the fact that you publish these frequent letters from me in recent weeks and those of GHK Lall et al, suggest that we are making a meaningful contribution to the debate on current issues affecting our dear country. I strongly believe that in any democratic and decent society all ideas must contend and that the media has a critical role to play in this connection. So let me put on record my sincere kudos to your newspaper for providing me and others the opportunity to share what I hope, at least in my case, are constructive ideas which are open to criticism and opposition. That having been said, I am ineluctably constrained to share a recent telephone conversation, which I did not initiate. On Tuesday morning I received a telephone call on my US mobile. It was from a member of the United States Congress with whom I have interacted over the years in my capacity as chair of the private sector council of the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) and as a member, on three occasions co-chair, of the planning committee of Caribbean Legislative Week, which is held on Capitol Hill during Caribbean Heritage Month each June. The Member of Congress contacted me for what was described as “an independent assessment” of the current political situation in Guyana. The word situation was used and not crisis, as
well as the word Administration, rather than regime, when reference was made to the current government. This was most heartening and encouraged me to engage in the discussion, notwithstanding that where I am currently I may be incurring roaming fees at a cost of $2.99 (US) per minute. In a nutshell this is what I had to say: 1. There is no requirement following the passage of the No Confidence Motion (NCM) and the ruling upholding its validity by the Chief Justice that the Government resigns. The requirement is that the Cabinet and the President resign; but that the Government remains in office until elections, which becomes due 90 days following the passage of the NCM on December 21, 2018. 2. There is no requirement under the Constitution that there be any public announcement that the President and Cabinet has resigned or any process which must constitute resignation. In fact, it is being interpreted in some quarters that this is automatic following the passage of the NCM. If my memory serves me right, this formed part of the CJ’s ruling. 3. The statement by the Government that the status quo remains is unfortunate, although in fact, the status quo remains, in that there are no provisions in the Constitution that the work of the Government is restricted. The statement is not helpful to the maintenance of a tensionfree society.
headed by President Granger and Opposition Leader Jagdeo was quite encouraging and reflected the maturity of the political leaders and the society as a whole. The confidence that this meeting generated among the population has been eroded equally by the government statement about the status quo remaining and Mr. Jagdeo’s statement that the meeting was a public relations gimmick, having earlier pronounced that the meeting was useful. 5. The issue now is with the holding of elections, which are due no later than March 20, 2019, barring Opposition agreement in Parliament for a mutually agreed period of an extension, or a Court order granting a stay of the Chief Justice’s ruling. 6. The government has appealed the CJ’s ruling. The government enjoys the right to challenge the NCM in Court. I hope the Appeal Court will deal with this within a week or so. If the Appeal Court refuses to grant a stay of the CJ’s ruling and/or upholds the ruling, then I expect the government to take its case to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Here is where some uncertainty arises as to how soon could the CCJ address and rule on this matter. 7. In the meantime there are allegations that the Elections Commission (GECOM) is deliberately stalling so as to avoid a March election. While this may not be true, it is not unfair to draw that conclusion based on percep-
of an early election, none of which meet the March deadline. July has been identified as the earliest timeframe based on the Commission’s readiness, or lack thereof. 8. It is the date for the holding of elections which is occupying the attention and promoting opposing viewpoints on this matter, one which frankly can be of gross embarrassment to Guyana and its people. The last thing I would want to have happen is the international community deem a Guyana Government illegal and take actions based on such a classification. 9. It is my hope that Messrs. Granger and Jagdeo can continue the dialogue begun in January and agree on a workable timeframe for a well planned and executed election. The government should not seek to deliberately delay the election nor should the Opposition push too hard for an election date that is unreasonable. This is in the hands of Mr. Jagdeo, since it is only with Opposition support that the date can be constitutionally extended beyond March 20, barring a Court decision to stay the CJ’s ruling. 10. While I applaud the interest of the US and other major powers in the current situation, I hope any analysis they undertake is factbased and there is no rush to judgement. Perhaps, in the event Guyana’s political leaders fail to demonstrate the maturity which I know they possess, then the international community can (Continued on page 5)
The new ASYCUDA system at Customs DEAR EDITOR, I use this opportunity to highlight the frustrations of the new ASYCUDA system that was introduced in December by the GRA. While the intent of the system is good, its implementation and monitoring is sadly wanting. Importers are facing delays and demurrage while not being able to turn over their merchandise. First, without sufficient and necessary education, the system was introduced during the height of the peak season as people were clearing goods. There still is a lot of ignorance among importers about the system, and that is equally matched by the level of arrogance by the GRA bosses. Secondly is the requirement for manifest number and manifest validation. Before ASYCUDA, an importer could have filed his docu-
ments, with GRA, a week before the ship arrives. That gave the importer sufficient time to have these documents lodged, processed, to deal with any queries and finalize the payment of duty and VAT. As soon as the ship arrives, that importer could then clear the goods. The new system requires that the importer obtain the Manifest number, which is only available a day or two before the ship arrives. T hen there is a manifest validation, which is only available when the ship actually arrives. Only then can the documents be submitted online. When it’s submitted then the flags come up. These flags could be documentation, assessment, post-audit. Thus the goods are here while the documents are then being processed. Herein lies the frustration. GRA has not been listening. While the ASYCUDA
system allows for online and immediate processing, the issue comes when the flags are raised. What is needed is for the system to allow the ASYCUDA to accept the filing without validation, thus giving the importer a couple
of days before the ship arrives so as to clarify queries. In the interest of an improvement in doing business, I urge GRA to seriously consider listening to the brokers and importers. Yours Sincerely, Manzoor Nadir
No more Bomb Threats DEAR EDITOR, The new and emerging trend of bomb threats must be dealt with expeditiously and with some level of exigency. As a concerned citizen, student of the University of Guyana, and employed within the semi-antonymous business field, I am calling on the relevant authorities (Guyana Police Force) to look into the root causes of such threats. I am concerned not just for the lives of innocent people, but particularly, the thousands of students who were exposed to the recent threats at School of the Nations, QC, Bishops’ High, and now the University of Guyana. These unlawful pranks appear to have some level of sequential pattern, which leads to the question; who is next? I also wish to suggest that all vulnerable and endangered Government Agencies and Private Sector Organizations/Businesses, like GPL Inc., GRA, GWI, must tighten their security checkpoints for the safety of their employees as a mechanism to narrow the chance of a tragedy. D. S. McFarlane
Wednesday February 06, 2019
Ishak Basir, a true champion DEAR EDITOR, Ishak Basir carried himself so humbly that it was very easy to be unaware of all his accomplishments. As a political student I was very guilty of this, and it was only with all the information that I got after he died, I realized that the PPP and Guyana may have greatly undervalued the treasure we had. Ishak Basir and I talked a lot about various things about the functions of government and its systems, and there are many things I learnt from him as his political student.Essequibians suffered a great loss when this stalwart and a founding member of the PPP died suddenly at his home. This 85-year-old former Member of Parliament, first chairman of the NCLDO in 1992, chairman of GLADCO and supervisor of the PPP branch at Reliance, Essequibo Coast, was known both locally and internationally. He was a fearless fighter for democracy. He led countless demonstrations and peaceful picketing exercises against the Burnham regime. He was always in the forefront of the struggle for free and fair elections before 1992, and after, for the restoration of democracy. He was gunbutted and thrown out of the Anna Regina police station by soldiers in 1973, when he asked to accompany the ballot boxes to Georgetown. He was also tear-gassed at Hampton Court by soldiers
while leading the largest demonstration ever in the history of Essequibo, against rigged elections by the PNC regime. He was the first Member of Parliament to pick up the mace and give Dr Cheddi Jagan to speak after he was banned from speaking for years in the National Assembly by the speaker. He also tossed a loaf of bread on the speaker when flour was banned, in an heated argument from the floor. He was indeed a fearless fighter. He also represented his party at countless meetings, both locally and overseas. But we are all here for a season and a reason. Comrade Basir lived his 85 years well; like so many of us, he had many challenges and heartbreaks, but the many, many positives and what he has accomplished in these years stretch the imagination. I had the opportunity to speak on the political platform many times with this grassroots man, politician and champion of the farmers. He was the first person who taught me to walk in a canoe in the Pomeroon River, while going to address a large crowd in his hometown Jacklow, with the late Dr Cheddi Jagan. I can vividly remember when he was shot four times in his abdomen by a policeman at Adventure stelling trying to defend his party, the PPP. The policeman was later promoted to sergeant. I am sure that many of his political colleagues were un-
Maturity and reasonableness... From page 4 play a mediating role in the process.Editor I share the points I made in my telephone conversation, since indeed I think mine is an independent assessment which is fact-based and at the same time within reason. My sincere hope is that this situation does not become a crisis or, worse yet, leads down a road to anarchy which some have prophesied. Let us all demonstrate the maturity and reasonableness which are required at this critical juncture of our dear land’s existence. Regards Wesley Kirton
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aware of his numerous accomplishments. The late politician had a sound knowledge of the political arena in Guyana. He had many opportunities to live overseas, but chose to stay and serve his country, and that he did unflinchingly. Our country and the people in Region Two have suffered a great loss by his passing. We as a people will have to ensure that his work does not go unnoticed, and that it continues to have the impact on the development of Guyana. I know that this would have been his greatest wish. His demise comes as a shock to all. Mr Basir will be remembered for his many contributions - in academia, in the cultural and creative fields, cohesion and the political arena. His exuberance and simplicity encouraged those who came into contact with him to be steadfast and relentless under pressure, and to be hopeful while working to achieve better goals. In Lima, Essequibo Coast, he married his wife Sabra, who incidentally belongs to the WPO, an arm of the PPP, and was also a young politician. Together they raised three daughters and several sons who are doctors and dentists, like himself. In his own indomitable style, Ishak Basir touched the lives of all who worked and associated with him in some way. Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan
The contents of this article surprised us DEAR EDITOR, The Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to respond to an article appearing in the Stabroek News of Sunday, February 3, 2019, under the headline “Audit Office still awaiting response from Infrastructure Ministry on D’Urban Park’s spending”. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure was very surprised by the contents of the article for a number of reasons as shown below:i) On Friday, December 7, 2018, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary received a Draft Audit Report from the Audit Office concerning a special Audit into funds utilized for the construction of the Durban Park Development Project, of which the Ministry of Public Infrastructure was asked to respond within 30 days. ii) Subsequently, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure requested an extension owing to the involvement of staff in preparation for the Ministry’s Budget presentation in the National Assembly last December and such an extension was granted by the Auditor General. iii) The Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Report was hand delivered to the Audit Office on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 and signed for by one D. James. It is with deep regret that the Audit Office did not con-
sult with the Permanent Secretary and other relevant personnel within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. It should be noted that the Audit Office of Guyana had signed for and collected eighty-three (83) vouchers relating to Durban Park Project in January and February 2017, but to date none has been returned. The above-men t i o n e d documents appear to be the main source of information in the conduct of the audit and the eventual submission of the report more than two years after the documents were initially collected. This indicated that the audit took almost two years to complete, but the Ministry was never meaningfully engaged to offer explanations. The responsibility for expenditure under the purview of Homestretch Development Inc. (HDI), as well as funds paid through the “Lotto Fund” was ascribed to the Ministry. Due diligence checks would have clearly outlined the distinction between the two entities and the responsible agency for the Lotto
Fund payments. The Ministry had NO responsibility for expenditure relating to Durban Park Project prior to April 9, 2016.It was on April 9, 2016, that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure was given the directive to complete the project, after it was observed that the works were behind schedule. Please be advised that the Ministry was not responsible for ANY expenditure prior to that date, which originated from the Lotto Fund and Homestretch Development Inc. Notwithstanding, the Ministry delivered ALL vouchers requested by the Audit Office with relevant schedules for scrutiny. However, if it is required, the Ministry could provide additional information upon request. Yours faithfully Krest Cummings Public Relations Officer
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Immoral advertisements on our television stations DEAR EDITOR, Immoral advertisements on our television stations have been a mind blowing and perplexing phenomenon in our nation. The owners of our television stations will advertise anything as long they are given the right price to do so, even our newspapers will carry some very terrible advertisements including those of individuals who promise healing and miracles to foolish people. Just recently I was looking at an advertisement that is promoting a dance-hall singer who will be coming to Guyana. In that advertisement, one can see virtually naked men and women and some scantily-clad folks gyrating to the most obscene lyrics of this singer’s songs. It will all be here for our Mashramani Celebrations. In my opinion, Mashramani is no longer a cultural event; it’s loaded with sexual perversion, nudity and vulgarity, captivating most of our young people. If this event is not given proper regulation it will destroy the moral fabric of our young people. I believe this event should be banned completely. In most of these musical advertisements, a nude woman is advertised, also men, and the music videos are worse: men and women can be seen having sex during these songs that damage the psyche of our young people. Our Ministries that are full of ministers sit by idly and say
nothing about it. Evil gets past our eyes easily because good men and women and the churches sit by idly and say nothing about it. If we don’t get rid of sin it will get rid of us. Doctors are fighting daily to cure sexually transmitted diseases including the AIDS epidemic, but we are promoting vulgar shows that will spread sexual perversion into our Nation by importing these foreign dancehall artistes. Guyanese have joined the list of vulgar performers. Some of these local Mash artistes just holler and scream all the time, with some nude women wining on the stage, and they are given big monetary rewards for this nonsense while we have thousands of vagrants and beggars in our streets we cannot help.I wrote several letters before for us to ban these dancehall singers who come here to perform and promote violence against women, drug use, and murder, as well as obscene lyrics loaded with cuss words to degrade women. They are degrading the entire Caribbean and the world by the filth they produce. Not leaving out chutney singers and a host of others, promoting rum drinking in their songs. The effect of alcohol portrayals and advertising on the drinking behaviour of young people is a matter of much debate and concern. Studies have shown that young people aged 10 to 26 years old were exposed to alcohol drinking at a young age by music videos and al-
cohol advertisement. Television advertisements, immoral songs and movies are a growing phenomenon that contributes to illiteracy and functional illiteracy. Most students travelling to school have something plugged into their ears from their phones - you will hardly see one or two in a bus reading a book. Reading and writing among the young and old has become an obsolete exercise among folks. Even in the houses of worship, very few read their Bibles or any other book. Most people have an idea that dressing in brand name clothing and expensive jewellery, and driving a nice car, gives them much success, but a great education is a greater key to our success and development as a nation. Most of the moral problems such as domestic violence, drug abuse, alcoholism come from illiteracy. I conclude this discourse with this quote: “Holiness is the strength of the soul. It comes by faith and through obedience to God’s laws and ordinances. God then purifies the heart by faith, and the heart becomes purged from that which is profane and unworthy. When holiness is achieved by conforming to God’s will, one knows intuitively that which is wrong and that which is right before the Lord. Holiness speaks when there is silence, encouraging that which is good or reproving that which is wrong.” ¯ James E. Faust While our politicians are on a rat race for political power they should be on their knees to pray and seek the Will of The Father for Guyana. Regards, Rev. Dr. Gideon Cecil
Wednesday February 06, 2019
Too many problems in West Indies cricket — far away from returning to glory days DEAR EDITOR, The two Test victories by the West Indies team against England in Barbados and Antigua give a glimmer of hope to the tens of thousands of Caribbean fans across the region and the wider world, but most of us still have doubts whether the Windies team will continue the victorious trend the reason being that all is not well with Cricket West Indies (CWI). There is still dissatisfaction in many areas: rifts between players and administration, allegations of insularity, players grouse and a host of others. Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, PJ Patterson, an ardent cricket fan and supporter headed a committee of former cricket officials and journalists, and presented an extensive report in which 65 recommendations were made. Unfortunately, only a few were adhered to, and the call to reconstitute the Board has so far been ignored. Only one aspect has been implemented - a little over a year ago - the renaming of the West Indies Cricket Board to Cricket West Indies.
This was done in order to create a separate commercial body. To date, no commercial body has been established. Dave Cameron has been appointed President since 2013 and he remains at the helm, despite constant criticisms about his administration. Courtney Browne, an English-born Barbadian, who has been a selector for more than a decade, continues to be on the panel, although he is being accused of favouring Barbadians. He has been chairman for four years. CWI participates at three levels - Tests, One Day Internationals and T20 - and the selectors name different squads for each category. Test cricket seems to be on the decline with the advent of T20 cricket which format attracts the outstanding players, and because of the remuneration being offered to the players. Lance Gibbs, Basil Butcher and other players of yesteryear say that they were paid crumbs as compared to what the players receive nowadays. And because of the fabulous pay the outstanding cricketers receive,
they are not too keen to play for the West Indies, especially Test matches, which last for five days. Speaking about Test matches, I cannot see why the organizers schedule such fixtures in small territories which attract limited crowds. In the current series, the first Test was played in Barbados, the second in Antigua and the third this week in St. Lucia. There are allegations that Guyana is being sidelined by CWI, hence the reason why only one player is in the squad. A call has been made for the Republic to secede from CWI and seek international status from the ICC. This is not likely, because there is problem in there, because the Berbice Cricket Board, an affiliate of the Guyana Cricket Board, is at loggerheads with its parent body and a lawsuit is pending in the Courts. There are too many problems which will hinder progress, and as such I do not see that West Indies cricket will go back to the glory days with Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Michael Holding, Rohan Kanhai, Andy Roberts and others. Oscar Ramjeet
Why the mad rush to elections? DEAR EDITOR, Why the mad rush to elections? Yes, the constitution is important, but the safety and security of our people is paramount, and a hurried, flawed election based on a questionable voters’ list serves no one’s interests. Given the stakes, this election needs to be beyond dispute, and GECOM should be applauded and supported for its methodical, calm approach thus far, amid the hysteria. The diplomatic community should also appreciate and be sensitive to the importance of getting elections right in a multi-racial society. At the same time, one must ask why the
PPP/C is objecting to a new voters’ list. After all, back in 2014 they were already expressing “grave concern” over indications that the Provisional List of Electors might be padded, and called on GECOM to explain “the drastic increase in new registrants (over 78,000) when the average annual increase of New Registrants is usually j u s t o v e r 11 , 0 0 0 . ” ( S N A u g u s t 1 9 , 2014)And after the 2015 elections, the party had called for house-to-house registration, but says it had been ignored. Now they don’t care. Yours sincerely Albert Russell
This vehicle is not the property of the Georgetown City Council DEAR EDITOR, Please refer to an article captioned “Man dies, woman injured after car slams into parked lorry” which appeared in the Tuesday, February 5, 2019, edition of your newspapers. The content of the article suggested that the derelict vehicle GFF 9764, parked on Princes Street, Werk-en-Rust is the property of the Mayor and Councillors of the City Council. The Council wants to make it pellucid that this vehicle is not the property of the Georgetown City Council. Time and again, the Council continues to warn citizens of the dangers of leaving derelict vehicles on the parapets, reserves, and other public thoroughfares. Citizens would recall, that in 2016, 2017 and 2018, the Council carried out campaigns in several City wards including; Alberttown, Kitty, Lodge,
Wortmanville, Bel Air and Campbellville, which aimed at removing obstructions from the public pathway. Also, the Council through the City Engineers Department served notices on several owners of roadside mechanics and spraypainting shops who have extended their businesses onto the roadside. However, while some citizens applauded the efforts of the Council to remove obstructions, there were those who severely criticized the work of the Georgetown Municipality and opined that the actions of the Council were too harsh. The owner of the vehicle GFF 9764 was given notices verbally and in writing to remove the derelict vehicle. Yours Faithfully, Debra Lewis Public Relations Officer
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Wednesday February 06, 2019
Guyana, a logistical hub for China’s expansion in the region
By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell It is not by chance that Guyana became the first English-speaking country in South America to sign on to the Belt and Road Initiative. Many believe that China values its relations with Guyana which is strategically located as a logistical hub suited for China’s expansion in the Region. Last month, Diálogo Chino reported that Guyana is a key logistical link in regional trade. Diálogo Chino is the only independent journalism platform dedicated to better understanding the China-Latin America relationship and its sustainable development challenges. Diálogo Chino said that the Guyana road link highlights the strategic nature “of the small country to China’s plans in Latin America. It would cut transport times to northern Brazil, China’s biggest trading partner in the region, by providing a faster route to the Panama Canal.”
“(China) also will likely include enhanced river and multimodal routes linking Brazil to the Atlantic in a southerly direction through Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina, and north to the Atlantic through the Guiana Shield, with improved highways through northern Brazil to the Atlantic coast of Guyana and Suriname.”- Dr. Evan Ellis Diálogo Chino also quoted Sasenerine Singh saying “China sees Guyana as a conduit to northern Brazil…A road link from Manaus to Guyana would cut thousands of kilometres off the shipping route along the Amazon River.” But further to this, China’s plans were highlighted in a detailed paper written by Centre for Strategic and International Studies’ (CSIS) Dr. Evan Ellis. The paper, titled “The Future of Latin America and the Caribbean in the Context of the Rise of China, points out what China has already achieved and what it is likely to achieve within 30 years based on its current trajectory.While examining the implications of China’s “greatly expanded position” as banker, employer, and military and
political partner in Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr. Ellis considered some of the possible dynamics by sector.Looking at construction/infrastructure, Dr. Ellis said that although many of the effects of the growth of Latin America’s Pacific-facing infrastructure will occur within national borders, others will be international. He said, “In South America, a transcontinental infrastructure that includes a network of highways, train, and river routes will connect Brazil to the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. “Such connections will probably include train linkages across the Amazon to Peru’s northern cost, and a more southerly train route through Bolivia to southern Peru and northern Chile.” The research professor added, “They also will likely include enhance d r i v e r a n d multimodal routes linking Brazil to the Atlantic in a southerly direction through Paraguay, Uru-
guay, and Argentina, and north to the Atlantic through the Guiana Shield, with improved highways through northern Brazil to the Atlantic coast of Guyana and Suriname.” Dr. Ellis said that the infrastructure will increase the flows of people and goods across all ten countries’ land borders. This will focus Brazil’s attention to the security of those borders and foster coordination with its neighbours, while increasing Brazil’s interest in their internal affairs, affecting that country’s coordination and security. Last year July when Guyana signed onto the Belt and Road Initiative, Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, said that Guyana is very much interested in improving its infrastructure. Government’s Department of Information reported, “The Minister of Foreign Affairs hinted that there exists a possibility that the Linden-Lethem highway, par-
Research Professor, CSIS’ Senior Associate, Dr. Evan Ellis ticularly the Kurupukari to Lethem phase as well as the new proposed Demerara Harbour Bridge could be financed under this initiative.” From all reports, the road from Brazil to Guyana will be mostly of benefit to China.
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Wednesday February 06, 2019
Delaying tactics
Guyanese are working all over the world. Jobs are hard to come by and so Guyanese have taken to going wherever they can find jobs. Each of these non-residents is eligible to vote so long as they are registered as electors and have a local address. However, not many of them are going to risk losing their jobs simply to come back home to vote. But the likelihood of them not voting does not give GECOM the right to disenfranchise them by having their names removed from the list of electors. The APNU+AFC has long telegraphed their intentions concerning the holding of general and regional elections. The ruling Coalition does not wish these elections to be held this year and therefore it is prepared to drag out the process until the end of April in the hope that GECOM will initiate house- to-house registration.
House-to-house registration is not a statutory requirement. There is an agreement by the old Commission that such registration could take place every seven years. House-to house registration is costly and unnecessary. There is a system in place of continuous registration which means that as persons become eligible to vote, their names are added to the list of electors, during successive registration cycles. With such a system, why does one need house-tohouse registration? There is also a system in place for removing the names of dead persons from the list. No compelling case has been made in recent times of hundreds of deceased persons being on the list of electors. The claim of 120,000 dead persons being on the list is a figment of someone’s fertile imagination. Deaths are registered by
the Registrar of Birth and Deaths. A list of the dead is compiled and submitted to the National Registration Office. The names of the dead are then removed from the list of electors. It is impossible for there to be thousands of dead persons on the list of electors. That would point to gross incompetence on the part of those concerned, a charge which has not been made by any of the main political parties. There is no truth in the allegation that the list is padded with the dead. If thousands of names of the dead were on the list, the political parties would have been protesting since last November when these parties were comfortable with the list produced for the local government elections. It is true that there are persons who would have become eligible to vote since the last
DEM BOYS SEH
Jenny coming back wid tears in she eyes Basil de Willie open a can of worms when he talk bout dual citizenship. Since he talk about that, people who go to great lengths to get Canadian citizenship talking about giving it up. Dem boys didn’t know wha people got to go through to get Canadian citizenship. Dem know now. Dem also know that a man or woman cannot suck cane and blow whistle at de same time. Now dem know somebody who try to do that. Jenny apply to live in Canada through de self-sponsorship programme. That is a programme wheh somebody wid a skill can apply to live in Canada. Nuff Guyanese do this. Jenny was one. But Guyana was sweet because she get Minister wuk. No matter how hard Guyana hard, once somebody get Minister wuk under Jagdeo that person deh good. Jenny get in good because Jagdeo did like she. She use to wuk in Office of de President as an ordinary staff. Then she get de wuk. Dem boys seh she was like a child look-
ing at a candy in a stranger hand and looking at dem mudda. In this case Guyana was de mudda suh she ignore de candy. Fuh years she never even visit Canada. In Guyana things was so good suh she didn’t even think about living in Canada. Is when Soulja Bai tun President that she decide that she don’t want to stay. She had a nice house but she sell it out. Now is crying time because de Canadians just tell she to go back to Guyana. She ain’t got nutten to lean on. She lawyer argue if dem sending she to live pun de road. De judge seh that is not she business. Jenny cry de fuss time when she get rejected. She cry again after she appeal. Dem boys seh she gun run mad because she can’t tek pressure and getting kick by Canada is pressure. But she is not de only one. Fat Irfaat get a kick de odda day. Jenny get to go and live fuh couple years. Fat Irfaat couldn’t even go pun de plane. Talk half and get ready to welcome Jenny.
cycle of registration. And it is precisely because of this that there is a system of continuous registration. Last July, the PPPC asked for the last cycle of continuous registration to be extended in order to capture those persons who are now of voting age but not yet registered. This request was rejected by GECOM on the grounds that there were statutory deadlines in relation to these cycles of registration. However, this column had pointed out that in a previous election, the registration cycle was extended so as to ensure that as many eligible persons were enfranchised. The litmus test of an electoral list is the degree of enfranchisement it facilitates. So to the extent that there are persons out there who need to be registered, those per-
sons should be given an opportunity. But you do not need a new registration cycle or even house-to-house registration for this purpose. This can be accommodated during the claims and objections period. It is not as if tens of thousands of persons are disenfranchised. The few dead whose names may still be on the list can be removed, and those who have become of age and eligible to vote can be added. House to house registration is not at all necessary. In fact, it can create more problems because it can end up removing a whole number of persons from the list who may be working and living overseas but who are eligible to vote by virtue of being registered and having a Guyanese address. Those persons cannot be disenfranchised.
As a former Chairman of GECOM related, recently, there can be no mass voting by phantoms. There are systems in place to guard against such developments. The Polling officers have the folios with the photographs of each eligible voter at their polling station. And this is buttressed by the political parties ‘scrutineers’ guarding against ineligible persons voting. But enfranchisement is not the motive behind the government’s wish for houseto-house registration. It is merely an excuse to delay the holding of elections until next year.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 06, 2019
Immigration application denied…
Canada orders ex-minister, Jennifer Webster, to leave country Canadian authorities last year ordered former Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, to leave the country. This was after she was turned down months earlier by the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD). According to documents seen by Kaieteur News, the order was made on July 9, 2018. Webster apparently appealed the decision by this body but was turned down in October. According to documents, initially, on December 22, 2014, Webster was rejected by
Canadian immigration. She named as respondent the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. She was turned down by IAD, because of among other things, she had not resided in Canada for at least 730 days in the five-year period immediately before November 2014. Listening to the case at IAD was Roxane Vachon. Webster had hired a lawyer and appeared in person with her daughter also testifying. IAD, in essence, said that she had not complied with her residency obligation and has
not shown on a balance of probabilities, considering the best interests of a child, that sufficient humanitarian and compassionate factors exist in order to warrant the IAD’s granting of discretionary relief. Webster had admitted that she was not physically present in ‘Canada for 730 days in the five-year period between December 2009 and December 2014. Webster, 57, became a permanent resident of Canada in October 2009 with her daughter when she immigrated to Canada as a skilled worker. She has spent
148 days in Canada during the relevant period. Under Canadian immigration laws, a permanent resident must comply with a residency obligation with respect to every five-year period. The former minister landed in Canada in October 2009. She testified she arrived in Canada but she was unable to establish herself here because she was Minister of Finance in Guyana and had taken a constitutional oath to serve her country. She was elected in 2006 and appointed Minister of Finance shortly after. She held
Ex-minister, Jennifer Webster this office until 2015. As a result she did not comply with her residency obligation. This is her appeal, the IAD documents explained. She had begun her immigration process to Canada in 1996. She became a permanent resident in 2009 after she had been elected and appointed as a minister for the first time (2006-2011). She testified she took a constitutional oath to serve the people of Guyana and felt she had to complete her mandate as a minister. TWO-TIMES MINISTER According to Vachon, this does not explain, however, why Webster decided to pursue a second mandate. She was re-elected in 2011 and accepted the appointment as Minister of “Societal Services”. She explained that in this portfolio she was able to advance the cause of women and girls and take initiatives to end violence towards women on high profile committees with the United Nations. When the government of Guyana fell in the spring of 2015, she resigned from her position and did not seek reelection. “In my view, the appellant had a meaningful and interesting career, she served the people of Guyana, but she did not fulfill her residency obligation towards the government of Canada and her reasons to remain abroad are the result of her career choices and her commitment to public service.” At the time of hearing last year, Webster was living in Canada with her mother and daughter. Webster claimed that she remained in Guyana because she was moved by the opportunity to have a seat at the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Vachon was not impressed. “Nonetheless, this is not a compelling reason to remain outside Canada for most of the first six years after obtaining her permanent resident status. I also note the appellant did not return to Canada at the earliest
opportunity. Instead of returning after her first mandate she chose to seek re-election. There is no evidence the appellant even attempted to find work in Canada between 2009 and 2015. She chose to maintain her position as a minister for two mandates. “I do not find the reasons given for the appellant’s absence mitigate her absence. This is a negative factor.” According to IAD, Webster after the new government entered office in Guyana, returned to Canada in 2015 and she has not left since then. She lived with her elderly mother and her adult daughter in a condominium. She testified that she mostly paid for this condo that her mother recently transferred to her in 2015. She invested most of the funds from the sale of her Guyana properties in the purchase of an expensive home. “Unfortunately the builder of the home received the funds and did not complete the building. The matter is now being litigated. The appellant also testified she moved her personal belongings to Canada, purchased a motor vehicle and transferred her funds to Canada. She testified she has no further assets in Guyana. Her immediate family is in Canada. Her mother is 82 years old and has been in Canada since the early 1980s.” Webster stated also that her daughter lives with her and her brother and sister live in Canada, albeit in a different city. She testified she has no close family in Guyana other than cousins. IAD said that it found little evidence that the former minister was seeking work in Canada. SICK MOM Among other things, Webster cited the failing health of her mother, 82. She also said that her daughter, 33, had been bullied when she was young. Continued on page 39
Wednesday February 06, 2019
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday February 06, 2019
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Tender Board examines 30 projects in marathon session The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) received bids and proposals for 30 projects yesterday, and worked from morning late into the night. Notably, one project received over 100 bids and will be published, with the remaining projects in the Thursday edition.
Regional Democratic Council Region 10 Procurement of One (1) New Water Ambulance
Ministry of Business - GTA Selection of Consultants for Digital Marketing Services
Procurement of One (1) New Refrigerator Truck
Guyana Energy Agency Supply of Electrical Vehicle and Supply, Installation and Commissioning of Hybrid Inverter and Energy Storage System
Ministry of Public Infrastructure Consultancy Services for the Optimisation of the Canawaima Ferry Service Inc. Supply of Material for Special Projects Units, Lots 1-5
Ministry of Public Health Supply & Delivery of Promotional & Medical Records
Guyana Elections Commission Procurement of Computer Spares
Ministry of the Presidency - SCCYS Procurement of Commodities Lots 1-5 at the Head Office
Provision of Services Lot 1- Sanitary Disposal Services Lot 2 - Termite Treatment/Pest Control
(Continued on page 19)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 06, 2019
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The accusation that Charrandass took a bribe Guyana is the most macabre country in the world. Just name a person who uses his office to take money and you would get a libel writ faster than the movement of your eyes. People are openly writing that Charrandass Persaud took a bribe to vote in favour of the opposition’s no –confidence motion (NCM). The Police Commissioner has publicly said that there is an investigation into Persaud but for now Persaud has to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. In his January 27, 2019 Chronicle column, Nagamootoo went into directions that makes one wonder if the Chronicle has become a floor cloth dirtier than when the PPP used it as a rag. Could one say those things that Nagamootoo
penned without getting into volcanic lava with the courts? Can a citizen of any country write that John Jones paid the board to become the CEO of his company or a senior public officer had sex with her boss to earn a promotion without being sued? In which part of the world is that possible? It is virtually impossible to repeat what Nagamootoo wrote about the sources of Charrandass’s finance in that Chronicle piece without incurring a libel writ. Persaud is yet to sue. Poor me! Let me say who has taken cash in violation of the oath of their office and Kaieteur News boss Glenn Lall will say what he has always said to me when the libels come, “Freddie try deh; yuh dey pon yuh own.”
I am not on my own, will not be on my own because I will not name names of people who I have been told took money. People told me that certain AFC big guns took American funds to form the AFC. I don’t believe it. People told me that a certain radical man took money to settle with President Jagdeo to come out of prison and to set up a charity. I don’t believe it. People told me that a huge figure in the PNC got financial generosity from rich businessmen who at the time were President Jagdeo’s benefactors. I don’t believe it. I could go on. I am tempted to be provocative and elongate on things I know about the sordid career of Nagamootoo but my editors will throw it out and
Glenn Lall will call me and say; “Yuh smoking konga pump?” So it looks like only certain people can use certain media outlets to openly accuse others of taking dozens of millions of dollars in bribes and not be sued. Jagdeo as opposition leader says he will sue Aubrey Norton over the Charrandass bribery controversy and Charrandass himself says he will sue the Police Commissioner and Khemraj Ramjattan for making those kinds of allegations. He told the Stabroek News, he will do so shortly. In fairness to the Police Commissioner he never said Charrandass took a bribe to vote on the NCM. He told the media that the police are investigating, which I think is his job. And he is on record as saying that Charrandass is innocent until proven guilty. If he is planning to sue the Police Commissioner and Khemraj Ramjattan then he will hit the roof when he reads the January 27 piece by
Nagamootoo. Back to the Chronicle. Barrington Braithwaite, one of the Commissioners of the Ethnic Relations Commission, and the man who penned an interesting reply to me and David Hinds in this newspaper describing all the elections that the PPP rigged and then said that accusations that the PNC rigged elections are “stock propaganda”, has a letter in the January 31 issue of the Chronicle. In that correspondence, Charrandass is accused of receiving a bribe. Interestingly, the Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News omitted that section of Braithwaite’s missive. It would be nice if Braithwaite can provide more details. The entire Guyana would like to know all the dimensions of this bribery. I know I would. Nagamootoo went further than Braithwaite. Nagamootoo wrote that all indications point to Charrandass being a corrupt man. “All indications” are his
Frederick Kissoon words. I am begging to know what “all the indications” are. I have a personal stake in the Charrandas vote. At a birthday party on David Street, Kitty in 2017, Charrandass told me he would vote down the government in an NCM. I conveyed that to David Hinds that over a fish and plantain chips dinner at Nicky’s Fish Shop on Drury Lane, Campbellville. In December last year, when the vote came up, he told me what he planned to do. I am prepared ASAP to denounce Charrandass once Moses shows Guyana “all the indications.” But then again there are “alternative facts.”
Wednesday February 06, 2019
Kaieteur News
Composer Valerie Rodway to be honoured on birth centenary The Ministry of the Presidency will honour the life and work of Guyanese composer and teacher, Ms. Valerie Rodway, CCH, with a roster of activities to mark her birth centenary,, next week. The programme will include the issuing of a commemorative stamp and book at a reception to be held at State House. Ms. Rodway was born in New Amsterdam, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) on February 12, 1919. She was best known for her composition of national songs including, “O Beautiful Guyana”, “Kanaïma”, “Hymn for Guyana’s Children”, “Arise, Guyana,” and “Guyana the Free”. She also put to music the famed Guyanese independence poem by Martin Carter, “Let Freedom Awaken”. Valerie Rodway died in August 1970. Ms. Rodway’s creative output represented a solid exploration of the Guyanese experience during a crucial period in the quest to end the colonial experience and become a free state. Her compositions embody the civic values cultivated by her family and friends. They were also influenced by her travels and reflect the creative responses to the spirit of the times. Valerie Rodway composed patriotic music, music for the schools, test pieces for the music festivals, music for community singing, music for large choirs, and art music. “Guyana the Free” was her submission for the national anthem competition. In sum, she left behind a substantial body of work that represents several styles. It also reflects national pride and a commitment to quality. Valerie Rodway’s life as teacher, performer, and composer has provided examples
Valerie Rodway: Valerie Rodway, CCH of the lasting power of music. The commemoration programme will include a Church Service on Sunday, at 10:00h at the AME Zion Church, New Garden Street; and the official naming of the building at Lot 94 Carmichael Street as ‘Valerie Rodway House’ on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 11:00h. A commemorative stamp and a book on Ms. Rodway will also be released at a reception to be held at State House. A symposium on Valerie Rodway’s music- ‘A National treasure’ - will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus in the Education Lecture Theatre from 17:00h to 19:00h
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The building to be named ‘Valerie Rodway House’ located at 94 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 06, 2019
‘Bumpy’ gets 12 ½ years for killing friend
By Feona Morrison Renwick Alexander, 69, was yesterday sentenced to 12 ½ years behind bars for the unlawful killing of his childhood friend, Carl Thomas, called ‘Dog’, whom he stabbed with a knife. Alexander, also known as, ‘Bumpy’, was arraigned before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown where he pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge. Alexander, who was initially indicted for murder, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence admitting that on November 3, 2010, in the county of Demerara, he unlawfully killed Thomas. After admitting guilt, Alexander expressed remorse for his actions. In 2014, Alexander was
tried and convicted for murder over this same killing and was sentenced to 56 years’ imprisonment by the same Justice Singh. Alexander then appealed to the Court of Appeal which ordered a retrial in November 2018. In ordering the retrial, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette CummingsEdwards, Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory and High Court judge Brassington Reynolds overturned the conviction and 56-year sentence. In apologizing to the daughter of the deceased, whom he called Debra and who was present in court, a sobbing Alexander said, “I am very sorry, really sorry for what took place between me and your father.” Reports suggest that the two men grew up together and eventually lived together during their adult life. According to information, on the day in question Alexander fatally stabbed Thomas, 55, during an argument over a pile of missing clothes. The incident occurred at John Street, Lodge, Georgetown where both of them had lived. Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes during a plea in mitigation on behalf of Alexander told the court that his client and Thomas were childhood friends. According to Hughes, the men grew up under difficult economic circumstances which only got worst as they progressed in
JAILED: Renwick Alexander age. The lawyer added that his client is very remorseful and had informed him that not a day goes by that he does not think about what he did. Hughes said, “(Alexander) has been incarcerated for eight years and has never caused law enforcement any problems.” Appearing for the prosecution was State Counsel Abigail Gibbs and State Counsel Tariq Mohamed who asked that the sentence of the court reflect the gravity and serious nature of the offence. Accordingly, Justice Singh imposed the jail term and said that the prison authorities will be ordered to deduct whatever time Alexander spent in pre-trial custody. Before he left the courtroom, Justice Singh advised Alexander to make the best of what is left of his life.
Senior cop charged with rape of girl, 13, granted bail Charged Seecharran Singh
Two weeks after a senior member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was charged with the rape of a 13-year-old and remanded for the offence, bail was yesterday granted to him for the offence.Seecharran Singh, 31, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, was not required to plead to the indictable offence which stated that between June 17, 2018 and June 18, 2018, at Plantation Providence, East Bank Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of sixteen.Yesterday, Singh made his second court appearance before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. His lawyer, Bernard DaSilva, renewed his bail application on his client’s behalf, citing that his client is not a flight risk and will adhere to any conditions by the court if bail is granted. The Magistrate released Singh on $250,000 bail. Condition of the bail is that Singh must stay 50 feet from (Continued on page 19)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 06, 2019
Tender Board examines 30... From page 15 Procurement of Commodities Lots 1-2 at the Sophia Training Centre
Procurement of Commodities Lot 1 at the Vryman’s Erven Training Centre
Senior cop charged with rape of girl, 13,.... From page 18 the victim until the hearing and determination of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) of the matter. He was instructed to make his next court appearance on February 19 for report and disclosure. According to information, the teen was left in Singh’s care. At the time the policeman
was attached to the Brickdam Police Station.It was while the two were alone that he allegedly made advances to her. It was alleged that the officer took the child into a room and had sexual intercourse with her. When the child’s mother returned home, the minor confided
what transpired and the matter was reported. An investigation was then carried out, and the officer was arrested and charged for the offence.On Singh’s first court appearance the Magistrate had remanded him to prison citing the safety of the child and the fact that the child trusted him.
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Wednesday February 06, 2019
State of Christianburg Primary School to be evaluated
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan with residents, on-site at the school’s compound
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, has indicated that he will employ the use of a structural engineer to examine the condition and strength of the Christianburg Primary School building. This follows several issues raised by residents of Christianburg, Linden, during a ministerial outreach to the area on Saturday. The visit was organised to ascertain the levels of development, the areas of need and the concerns of citizens.Many residents highlighted the dilapidated nature of the school and the fact that its closure has affected the children living in the area. According to the Parent-Teacher Association, numerous letters and complaints were made to the previous PPP administration for repairs to the school, but those efforts proved futile.These students are currently attending classes at St. Aidan’s Primary School in Blue Berry Hill, located some distance from their homes. The situation has hindered some students from receiving a quality education and the minister believes it is time to ‘get the ball rolling’. However, while there, Minister Jordan also urged parents in need of assistance for their primary-age children to take advantage of the Ministry of Social Protection’s Circumstances Unit (DCU) programmes. These programmes ensure that all students in need of assistance can receive a quality education. The government has been looking into all of the issues surrounding the school and will address them promptly. The ancient community of Christianburg is prided as being the oldest in Linden which houses one of the oldest schools in Region Ten. (DPI)
Charges dismissed against Lloyd Singh, International Pharmaceutical Agency …Magistrate upholds No Case Submission Businessman, Lloyd Singh, of International Pharmaceutical Agency left the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Thursday, cleared of all charges brought by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards. Magistrate Annette Singh dismissed all three charges following a successful no case submission by Attorneyat-Law, Mr. Haymant K. Ramdhani.Mr. Singh was slapped with two charges under the Food & Drugs Act, late last year. He was accused of allegedly supplying a named unregistered drug to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He pleaded not guilty and his Counsel successfully secured his pre-trial liberty on both charges.Soon enough Director of Food & Drugs Department, Mr. Marlon Cole, instituted a third charge, this time one which claimed that “Lloyd Singh of International Pharmaceutical Agency supplied a drug “misleading and unrepresented”, to the Georgetown Public Hospital.’ The defendant also pleaded not guilty to this charge.Mr. Singh explained
Lloyd Singh that he has been in the business of pharmaceuticals for more than 35 years and this is the first time that something like this has happened. He reassured the public that he is committed to providing best quality products to consumers adding that he is quite concerned that the Food & Drug Department made no attempt to meet with him or give him an opportunity to answer to these accusations.
Guyana records major decrease in prison TB cases The Programme Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP), Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlall, has indicated that there has been a significant decrease in Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in prisons. The programme was put together to work at reducing the incidence and prevalence of tuberculosis and to mitigate its impact through a multi-sectored response that provides high quality and equitable prevention, treatment and support services. The government has been tackling the high number of TB cases recorded in the local prisons for years and since 2012, there has been a significant reduction in the cases detected. According to the doctor in an interview with the media the reduction is a result of robust and effective screening efforts that have been implemented in the prison system. This is being done in collaboration with the prison authority and support from the Ministry of Public Health. Dr. Mohanlall stated, “We have had a DOTS (Direct Observed Treatment Shortcourse) Supervisor in the prisons since 2012, and so, we have been doing a lot of work since then in terms of screening cell by cell, block by block.” He added, “In 2012, we had 43 new cases in the prisons. Over the years because of continuous screening and preventative therapy, last year we have only had eight
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Wednesday February 06, 2019
Dr Jeetendra Mohanlall new cases in all the prisons.” The eight cases are the lowest recording in the past 19 years. The doctor said that there are some challenges that the programme faces. However, he noted that the low numbers speak for itself which indicates that eradicating TB in prisons is possible. He extended gratitude to the health teams at the various prisons who facilitate and conduct actual TB clinics, collecting samples and providing continuous treatment. Meanwhile, the TB team from the unit at Georgetown Public Hospital regularly visits these prisons to perform follow-up checks on patients, especially new cases. The most common type of TB detected in the prisons is Drug-Sensitive TB. This type of Tuberculosis can be cured within six months as long as a patient adheres to treatment.
Five witnesses remain in Bourda cheese vendor murder PI Police Prosecutor, Neville Jeffers, is expected to call five remaining witnesses to testify in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Troy Ramalho, a Bourda cheese vendor, who was shot and killed while plying his trade. Royce Sandiford, a 33year-old labourer; Akeem Morris, 26, a miner, of 40 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty; and George Paton, 34, a taxi driver of 177 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara, were not required to plead to the charge which stated that on August 15, last, at Robb Street, Bourda, Lacytown, they murdered Troy Ramalho during the course of a robbery. The men are currently on trial before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrate Courts.
Yesterday when the matter was called three witnesses gave brief testimonies about the role they played in the investigation. They were subsequently cross examined by the defendants.
The matter was then adjourned until February 6 for continuation of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) According to information, Ramalho was sitting on a bench at his business place. He had just finished selling a
customer when three men walked up to him and shot him. Ramalho fell to the ground and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
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Wednesday February 06, 2019
Crabwood Creek farmer died from multiple stab wounds A post mortem examination on the body of murdered Crabwood Creek poultry/rice farmer on Monday by government Pathologist Vivekanand Bridjmohan, revealed that Deoprakash “William” Lalbachan died from shock and haemorrage due to multiple stab wounds. The autopsy was performed at the Skeldon Hospital Mortuary where his body was kept. Kaieteur News was informed by the police that the individual that was detained for questioning has since been released but police continue to hunt for the prime suspect in the death of the farmer. Information reaching this publication has indicated that the suspect may have fled to neighbouring Suriname. A senior police source had disclosed that the prime suspect was a previous employee of Lalbachan and at some point was fired from the job. A camouflage vest that was found at the scene of the crime was similar to that which was worn by the prime suspect earlier on the day of the killing, police said. It was also disclosed that Lalbachan was heavily involved with the smuggling of pesticide from Suriname, an act that was reportedly done in partnership with a businessman from Crabwood C r e e k . The source said, “He is believed to have made a huge investment with the smuggler (businessman) but didn’t pay
Stabbed to death: Deoprakash “William” Lalbachan out fully. So the thing is pointing at the people who supplied the items that the now deceased invested in and they may have contacted the very suspects who are known to the Lalbachan’s, to commit the act.” The suspects gained entry through the kitchen window located in the bottom flat of the house. The wood was ripped out from the outside of the window and the grill appeared to be cut through. Lalbachan was stabbed five times about the body after confronting the killers some time around 22:30 hrs Friday night. His wife, Nalini Lalbachan, was in the upper flat sleeping and his mother-in-law who suffers from Alzheimer’s was in a room in the bottom flat when the incident took place. Police recovered the blood stained murder weapon, a knife, in the kitchen along with five parcels from the outside freezer thrown about in the backyard. There were also footprints in the backyard, the police said.
Labourer steals ladies hair, gets 18 months in prison A labourer was yesterday sent to prison on a charge of simple larceny. Jose Hamilton admitted to the charge after it was ready to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.It was alleged that between February 1, 2019 and February 2, 2019 at Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, Hamilton stole a quantity of children’s clothing, a quantity of ladies hair, and eight adult pants.Hamilton informed the court that he is 40 years old and that he resides at ‘M’ 41 North Sophia. On February 1, 2019 about 18:00hrs the victim secured his boutique, leaving the articles mentioned in the charge inside the building. He returned on February 2, 2019 about 10:00hrs. The victim then observed a window which was forcefully opened and became suspicious. He conducted a search and found the articles missing. He reported the incident and an investigation was conducted. The business entity which is secured by Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage was viewed by police ranks along with the victim for the period the incident allegedly transpired.The footage revealed that Hamilton removed the articles from inside of the boutique. Hamilton was subsequently arrested, and questioned where he admitted to committing the crime. The defendant told police ranks that he sold the articles to a man. However, no name was given for the individual. Also, Hamilton took the ranks to a location however; no contact was made with the individual he claimed to have sold the items to.It was also noted that none of the articles were recovered.Police prosecutor Neville Jeffers informed the court that Hamilton was previously charged for a similar offence and was sentenced to four weeks in prison some time in 2018.When asked if he has anything to say to the court before sentence was passed, Hamilton stated, “I went and I see the stuff so I pick it up to go and sell.”Chief Magistrate McLennan then sentenced the accused to 18 months in prison. She also advised him, “I hope that when you are in prison you will receive counseling so that when you come out you will not want to steal other people properties.”
Wednesday February 06, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Police raid strip club after video surfaced of woman climbing fence The Diamond Hotel and Bar on George Street.
A screen-grab of the woman climbing over.
One day after a viral video surfaced of a woman climbing over a gate to a prominent city’s bar, police have raided the place. Yesterday, Crime Chief, Lyndon Alves, confirmed that several persons including female foreign nationals were detained. They were taken to the CID headquarters, Eve
Leary, where they were being questioned up to late yesterday afternoon. According to Alves, the exercise is part of an “ongoing” campaign and not necessarily a tip-off. There are, however, investigations into whether there were elements of trafficking in persons involved.
The George Street club is no stranger to controversy. The owner of Diamond Hotel and Bar, Freeman Fordyce, was slapped with possession of gun and ammo last year and controversially given a suspended four year sentence recently. In late December, he was accused of assaulting Police
Inspector Prem Narine. On the video surfacing Monday, a woman was seen climbing over a gate and other women parted the razor wires to allow her through. The video immediately raised concerns of trafficking. Diamond was raided in January last year with charges laid.
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Wednesday February 06, 2019
Former NCN CEO Lennox Cornette dies Two charged separately The media fraternity lost one of its of Business, a Bachelor in Social Sciences, after brawl over alcohol
Lennox Cornette
veterans yesterday with the passing of former National Communications Network (NCN) Chief Executive Officer, Lennox Cornette. Close associates of the communications specialist said that he passed away yesterday after losing a battle with cancer. Cornette worked in the late nineties at the Guyana Chronicle. He is also the author of the book ‘The Development of Telecommunications in Guyana(1884-1994)’. He held a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Australian Institute
(majoring in Mass Communications), a Diploma in Public Communication, and certificates in planning promotion from Bailbrook College, England. According to NCN Chairman Enrico Woolford, the NCN Board said that it “valued the work he did.” “I know he was in the church and youth movements and political work. I thought he also had interest in the general development of society. “I extend condolences to his relatives and friends and those from his church community. It is really sad.”
CHARGED: Keith Daniels
CHARGED: Paul Simmons
A miner, who the court heard stabbed a man several times with a beer bottle after he accidently knocked over his drink while partying, was yesterday charged for the offence. Keith Daniels, 19, of Princeville Potaro, Mahdia, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It is alleged that on February 1, last, at Princeville Potaro, Mahdia, in the Essequibo Magisterial District, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Lorenzo Williams, with intent to maim, disfigured, disable or cause grievous bodily harm. Daniels was not required to plead to the indictable charge after it was read to him. Police P r o s e c u t o r, Gordon Mansfield stated that on the day in question around 23:00 hrs the victim and Daniels were consuming alcohol at a shop when the victim accidentally knocked over the victim’s alcohol from a table. The court heard the defendant became annoyed and started throwing beer bottles at the victim. The victim in an attempt to escape fell and was approached by the defendant who dealt him several stabs to his face and upper body with a bottle. The victim was taken to the Mahdia Hospital where he was admitted a patient. The matter was then reported, an investigation was carried out and Daniels was arrested and taken into custody, and charged. The Prosecutor made no objections to bail being
granted to the defendant; hence he was released on $150,000 bail. Meanwhile before the same Magistrate, a pump attendant was slapped with an unlawful wounding charge after he allegedly stabbed a man who refused to buy him alcohol. Paul Simmons, 38, of Pepper Hill, Mahdia, was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on February 1, at 11 Miles Mahdia, he unlawfully wounded Rahamat Moses with intent to maim, disfigured, disable or cause grievous bodily harm. The Prosecutor stated that on the day in question, about 19:00 hrs, the defendant went to a bar at Mahdia where he saw the Moses consuming alcohol. The court heard Simmons gave the victim $5000 to purchase beers for him; however the victim accepted the money and refused to purchase the beers. Simmons then confronted the victim and told him to return the money and he refused. It was stated that Simmons became annoyed and dealt the victim a lash to his face with a beer bottle. The matter was reported and Simmons was arrested for the offence. With no objection to bail by the Prosecutor, the defendant was released on bail in the sum of $170,000. Both men were instructed to stay 50 feet away from the victims and report every Friday to the Mahdia Police Station until the hearing and determination of the trial. Both men were instructed to make their next court appearance on April 16 at the Mahdia Magistrates’ Courts.
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Kaieteur News The Sophia construction site.
Wednesday February 06, 2019
Man discovered dead at Sophia construction site A tragic accident at a Sophia worksite left a family in deep mourning yesterday. Dead is Solomon ‘Salo’ Kandhai, 41, of 145 Cummings Lodge Embankment. He reportedly collapsed into a pool of water after an apparent seizure. Passersby found his body in a small pool of water around the foundation that has been dug. Persons on scene said that he had a “dent” on his forehead, consistent with a fall. He had been working there for three weeks now. According to relatives, the father of five was a hardworking man. He is believed to have arrived at work early and started his duties without others. His wife, Madonna, was on the scene of the incident which occurred around 09:45 hours. She tried to wake him, but Kandhai had already died. Neighbours said that the man could have lived had there been other workers
Wife, Madonna, attempts to ‘wake’ her husband up. present at the construction site. The site is located in the Red Road area, ‘D’ Field,
Sophia. Relatives said that Kandhai would suffer seizures from time to time.
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FOR RENT
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PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
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Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290
Prime Business Spot, opposite Gafoors in Parika. Contact# 650-0402/603-1402
1 well-appointed furnished 2 bedroom apartment in Bel Air Park, with parking. Tel# 2254106/225-4708 between office hours 8:00-4:30 Mon-Fri
Pluck chicken $290 per lb, 25 lbs and over, free delivery, white and brown eggs. Tel#219-2170/225-0480/2259304
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Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisement, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OFAC’S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822
1 foreign used komatsu excavator for sale, 2010, 3,103 hrs. Serious enquiries only. Call/Whatsapp #677-8104 Finest of Oil paintings in G u y a n a www.paintingsron.com
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/6560087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
Unfurnished (2) Bedroom Apt, Smyth St, GeorgetownTop Flat Diamond 3rd Avenue- Top & bottom flat, Durban Backlands Studio Apt #623-1562 June Furnish 2 bedroom bottom flat Uitvlugt new housing scheme. Call 276-0400, 6982802 2 Storey property, located on Sheriff Street. Perfect for business or restaurant. Call or whatsapp 614-2412
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Wednesday February 06, 2019
Kaieteur News
Pickup truck from Canada, extra-cab 2005 Tacoma $1.9M Ford F150 sport $1.3M, Ford ranger sport $1.1M. Call: 6825230, 615-4414 Tractor Massey Ferguson (foreign used) MF165 $1.5M MF 135 $1.1M MF 265 $1.8M 165 loader, tractor $1.9M @ Vreed-en-Hoop. Call 682-5230/ 615-4414. 1 Honda RD5, PRR Series, in excellent condition with air condition, fully powered, alarm, lady driven. Contact No #624-6570
2 bedroom bottom flat inside washroom, opposite govt school, next to main road, centre street, Lusignan ECD. Call: 642-2678 1 bedroom apt for working couple/single person $32,000 monthly. Light and Water included. Lodge. Call: 6230076 One bedroom self-contained apartment at Parfaite Harmony #225-6571
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HERBAL REMEDIES: Diabetes, Hypertension, Infertility, Menstrual disorders, Enlarged prostate, Kidney,Gall stones & Arthritis etc. Call Sparman #676-5924
2 Storey Building, Charlotte St, Near M.O.P. Land size 45x120. $70M Neg. Call Llewellyn & Llewellyn Real Estate #672-1920 Property for sale, James St, Albouystown. #682-8236
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Need a friend for a serious relationship. Call Mike #6988360 No Text Please
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House or land to buy in Annandale H/Scheme, ECD. Contact #609-1040 Wanted land to buy on the East Bank, West Coast or anywhere in Parfaite Harmonie. Tel#697-6311
Transport property for sale, BB Eccles EBD. Tel# 6160499/616-9490 Business Property for sale in Albouystown, Price $17 Million Neg. Tel#639-7484/ 611-8540
Chef, assistant cook and night supervisor. Call us on 2257933 or visit 172 Sheriff Street. Male factory worker needed. Must have police clearance. For more info call: 223-0090 Professional Mechanic, Machinist, Male cleaner, Apply @ Technical Services, Eccles Industrial Site
Waitress to work in Bar@ Mahaica #661-4863 (1) waitress (1) Waiter with experience. (1) cook Female Domestic wanted @ experience in restaurant, Vreed-en-hoop for Light cooking creole & other housekeeping $3000 daily, dishes. Contact 650-0402, 664Male Labourer, Semi-skilled 4663 $4000. Call: 682-5230/615-4414 Sawmen with chainsaw for ripping. Skidder operator and serviceman. Call: 218-3399 Wanted Drivers must have Lorry Ages 35and up Apply Nimbus water system Tel 2317002 Land with foundation and c o l u m n . www.paintingsron.com #6481635/656-0701
7 Pit foreman, 1 GM, Crusher operators. Contact#223-5180/ 696-9386 Female cleaner Office & Home, age 25 to 50. Call: 2332745 One (1) seamstress to work for an established company. Must have experience. Call 672-4695 for more information One live-in Domestic. Call: 674-1767
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House for sale, Eccles Housing Scheme. 7 bedrooms, 3 toilets and bathrooms enclosed. $28.5M. Call 642-0391/ 001447587233657 House & Apartment Building on Duncan St, Land size 53x133. Price $80M Neg. Call Llewellyn & Llewellyn Real Estate. #672-1920 Large 3 bedrooms classic house in solid condition- all amenties, huge yard, security. Price negotiable, Versailles WBD. Call: 6603415/609-7766 6 bedrooms house on transported double-lot, all amentities, private yard/ parking. Located in Georgetown. Call: 6603415,609-7766
Sales girl. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda General Domestic, must know to cook & salesperson, Apply Keyfoood McDoom EBD Hot dog salesperson. Must be well spoken. Please call or whatsapp 614-2412 for more info Cook and waitress needed to work in a bar. Contact# +592 676-7884 One Live-in Domestic to work on resort in Mahaicony River. #649-3783/225-6571 General Domestic with cooking experience for East Bank. #614-4358
Lima Group, inclusive of Guyana, embraces Guaido - calls on Venezuela military to quit Maduro (www.unian.info) - The Lima Group includes Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Saint Lucia. The countries of the Lima Group proclaimed Venezuela’s opposition leader and its National Assembly as full members of the multination group while ruling out military intervention to end the humanitarian crisis gripping the oil-rich nation. The move elevates Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to the status of a “fully fledged” member of the group, said Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. The move further sidelines the government of Nicolas Maduro, which has been declared illegitimate by Canada and many of its allies, according to CBC. “It is very important to understand that Guaido derives his legitimacy from the National Assembly, which is the sole remaining democratically constituted body in Venezuela,” Freeland said at the closing press conference of the Lima Group meeting. Foreign ministers from the Lima Group countries — Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Saint Lucia, alongside Continued on page 33 LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie (Transferable $2.5M) $2M $1.4M Tuschen Phase II $1.5M Providence, Herstelling. Call: 666-2326 (1) Fence land in Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt $2M Zeelugt $1.4M. Tel#642-1252 Transported land 11.6 acres. Lot 15 public road. #2 Village W.C.B. Price $18M. Contact 686-4818, 648-7109 7 acres located in Garden of Eden. 15 Seconds off the East Bank Road. $45M. Call Llewellyn & Llewellyn Real Estate. #672-1920 5 acres riverside, located in Land of Canaan. Price $175M Neg. Call: Llewellyn & Llewellyn Real Estate #6721920 Schnoord $4M Dairy $3.5M & $2.2M Parfaite $1.6M Farm $3.5M & $3M www.paintingsron.com #648-1635/651-1969 Red Doom Canal #2 $4.8M, Negotiable. Call: 644-8396
Wednesday February 06, 2019
GCCI, new Mayor and councillors meet to discuss parking meter, other major issues
From right: GCCI President Deodat Indar and Mayor Ubraj Narine following the discussions on Tuesday. Members of the newly installed Georgetown Municipality, Mayor Ubraj Narine and a team from the council, officially met with members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (GCCI) on Tuesday to discuss several issues of concern to both the Council and business community. In addition to Mayor Narine, those present at the meeting held that GCCI Waterloo Street Headquarters included Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore, Attorney- at -Law, James Bond, GCCI President Deodat Indar, and Senior Vice President, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer. During the meeting, Mayor Narine expressed the need for establishing an institutional working relationship between the GCCI. He said that the matter took precedence over the other issues. According to him, this should be the first order of business as it would provide guidance on all other future engagements between the two bodies. “We need to look at building a relationship before we move on to look at the other matters,” Narine told members of the business Chambers. Among the matters placed on the GCCI agenda was the issue of the parking meter project, the placement of garbage receptacles around the city, and the levying of local authority taxes. Several members of the chamber expressed their support for the notion put forward by the Mayor. However, the GCCI President was quick to point out that a similar initiative in the past to establish a committee with the private sector and the MCC had not materialized. Towards the end of the meeting, representatives from both sides agreed to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and the setting up of a bilateral committee between the two entities. Deygoo-Boyer suggested that the local government committee would deal specifically with matters of concerns to both the Council and GCCI. “We have areas of commonalities which can be used to build the bridge needed to address our differences,” he said. Representatives of the GCCI told the media too that the chamber has not changed its position on the parking meter project. The Chamber said it believes that it is irresponsible for the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to continue with the metered system due to a lack of transparency during the implementation process, a lack of adherence to public procurement procedures, and the absence of feasibility studies and citizen consultations. At the interim, the two bodies are expected to meet again on Friday to begin setting up the committee— a three-week timeline was given for the drafting of the MoU.
Lima Group, inclusive of... From page 32 representatives from the UK, the EU and the U.S. — met in Ottawa Monday to further solidify support for Guaido as protests over the legitimacy of Maduro’s government continue to fill the streets in Venezuela. The Lima group wrapped up its meeting with a 17-point declaration that included a call for the “national armed forces of Venezuela to demonstrate their loyalty to the interim president in his constitutional functions as their commander in chief.” The Lima Group nations did not encourage any military action against the Maduro regime, however, saying that the countries making up the group “reiterate their support for a process of peaceful transition through political and diplomatic means without the use of force.”
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Wednesday February 06, 2019
Minister demands accountability on Local Govt Commission spending
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, is demanding accountability from the Local Government Commission, (LGC) as it relates to expenditures of its 2019 budget. Minister Bulkan commented on the LGC‘s budgetary expenditure following reports that the staff of the LGC have not yet been paid their January salaries. Former Minister and LGC Commissioner, Norman Whittaker, had issued a statement detailing his concerns over the non-payment. He accused officials attached to the Ministry of Communities of promoting an insidious parallel administration aimed at interfering with the work of the Commission by way of unauthorized inter-
ventions and directives. “As at January 31, 2019, the staff of the Local Government Commission and its Commissioners have not been paid their salaries because the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities has either unilaterally decided or has been directed not to sign the cheque to facilitate such payment.” According to Whittaker, the issue not only stymies the work of the LGC but also denies Commission staff the benefits to which they are entitled and which is provided for in the Commission‘s Act. Whittaker cited sections 22, 23, 24 of the Local Government Commission Act 2013 which allows the Commission to, inter alia, (a) em-
ploy necessary staff and to determine their remuneration and “other terms and Conditions of employment (b) determine its “own annual budget” for submission to the Minister of Finance and approval of the National Assembly…”According to Whittaker, the Local Government Commission is being treated as a subvention agency and is required inter alia, to write to the Ministry for releases to meet approved expenditures.Despite the legal contentions, Minister Bulkan told Kaieteur News that accountability is of paramount importance when it comes to State funds. He noted that concerns over the LGC spending developed after it was revealed that payments for the
Young Bagotville calypsonian targets child abuse
C
ontestant in the Junior Calypso Monarch competition, 20-year-old Denisha Washington, of Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, hopes to sensitize and raise awareness on the effects of child abuse. At the same time she will be focusing on all the social issues associated with this growing epidemic. The song is entitled “Children of Today”, and she has a genuine intent to work assiduously in any way to achieve the objective. It was her entry at the just concluded Junior Calypso Monarch competition. The song is produced by one of Guyana’s musical producers, Mr. Bonny Alves.
Calypso Artiste, Denisha Washington Miss Washington also wrote part of the song. Miss Washington passionate about the
profound message within the song and all the possible positive outcomes that can be produced. She expressed euphoria about her upcoming performance with emphasis on the message. She started to sing at a tender age of 10 and she highlighted that she would have participated in competitions in the past. She has experience that allowed her to be exposed to the limelight. She added that she was the winner on several occasions throughout the years of her primary and secondary education, when she sought the opportunity to participate in many Mashramani competitions.
Canada orders ex-minister,... From page 10 According to IAD, Webster’s lawyer had argued that if she is removed she will not be able to easily immigrate to Canada in the future. “She is a 57-year-old woman and her age would be a hindrance in the context of a skilled worker application. She cannot be sponsored by her mother or siblings and her daughter who is a student is not in a financial position to sponsor her mother, while a super visa will not allow her to put down roots in Canada. The appellant is highly educated and qualified and she is familiar with life in Guyana. She chose to remain in Guyana up to 2015 and she thrived in her country. “The fact her immigration will be complicated by the fact she waited until nearing retirement to immigrate to Canada is simply the consequence of the appellant’s decisions.” IAD said that the loss of the benefits of being a permanent resident of Canada is not undue hardship. IAD said that the breach of the residency obligation is very important. “The appellant obtained her permanent resident status in 2009 and has been present for some 148 days in the relevant period. She must establish a high degree of humanitarian
and compassionate factors. Her decision to depart and remain outside Canada was not beyond her control and although it may have been for a good cause, her reasons are not compelling.” According to IAD, since 2015, Webster has taken steps to become established and she now has establishment in Canada. “In my view, her late establishment and the hardship her family would suffer if she is removed do not outweigh the important breach of her residency obligation and the lack of effort to comply with the residency obligation or to return to Canada at the earliest opportunity.”According to IAD, based on the evidence and on a balance of probabilities, taking into account the best interests of any child directly affected by the decision, there are insufficient humanitarian and compassionate considerations to warrant special relief in light of all the circumstances of the case. The appeal was dismissed and a departure order is made against the appellant. “Under section 69(3) of the Act and section 224 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, the Immigration Appeal Division therefore orders your departure from Canada.”
staff exceeded the levels approved by the Ministry of Finance at average of 58-150 percent. “Should the Commission continue to pay that level of emolument; the 2019, budget will not be enough to cover all current expenditure up to December 31, 2019. This would be in violation of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act.” Bulkan explained the issue came to the fore on January 15, last, when the LGC submitted documents for the Ministry to counter sign. According to the Minister, examination of the vouchers revealed that the level of payment of staff exceeded that of Public Service levels. Additionally, he noted that
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan there was no authorization for the increases from the Minister of Finance. According to the Minister, the Ministry is awaiting information from the LGC as it relates to its opera-
tional cost for 2019.“That request was made three weeks ago. The Commission is yet to respond. We have to make sure that the commission is able to meet operational cost. The payroll for 2019 is approximately $113 M or 91 percent of the Commission‘s annual budget. The Commission is required to submit a cash flow and work programme within 2019 but has not complied with the request.” “Should the Ministry counter sign to the payroll without this , it will be a breach of the fiscal Management and accountability Act of 2003, Section 30 (1)and the Finance Secretary Circular No.1 A dated January 2019 Section 2 3.1,” Bulkan added.
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No decision taken on elections date The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is yet to decide on a date for the holding of the Regional and General Elections, Chief Elections Officer, (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield told the media yesterday. He was addressing the media after several hours of meeting with the Operations Sub-Committee at the Commission’s secretariat, yesterday. Lowenfield clarified that the life of the current list of electors will expire on the last day of April this year. According to Lowenfield, if elections are not held before that date, the secretariat will have to proceed with the production of a new official list of electors. Based on the discussion put forward, Lowenfield stressed that it is likely that the elections date will be extended beyond the 90-day period, which is set to expire on March 19. He reiterated that General and Regional Elections are not likely sooner than July. But the election body may have to carry out a Claims and Objections exercise to “clean the list of electors.” “Lists have a life date. A list is never clean; every electoral list has someone who is deceased, so it is really
CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield saying to you what is cleanliness? Is it where all the listed persons there are alive and well? If one person there is deceased, then the cleanliness [of the list] comes into question.” According to the CEO, one of the mandates of GECOM is to always be in a state of readiness for elections and registration. Each of these activities, however, must be carried out, at the order of the commission itself. He said the production of any new list will have to be guided by the commission and that process can be carried out through a Claims and Objection period.
Lowenfield said, “A lot of factors are up for consideration; for instance house-to-house registration. Are we going have 400 additional sub-offices or are we going to have 200 locations for house-to-house registration?” “The Commission will also have to decide whether we will be in the fields for four months. And if we are in the field for four months, we must do training to ensure we have a competent staff to execute.” According to Lowenfield, based on the timelines being put forward by GECOM’s Secretariat, it will be unlikely for elections to be held before July 2019.
Bike bandit accidentally shoots partner after robbing customer Police were last night guarding a 22-year-old robbery suspect who was shot in the arm by an accomplice while fleeing the scene of a robbery. The incident occurred around 16.00 hrs near an Aubrey Barker Street, South
Ruimveldt business entity. Shakeel Duncan, 22, was reportedly shot in the arm after his accomplice opened fire at residents, who were attempting to apprehend them.Kaieteur News understands that the suspects, who had arrived in
UK ministers hold secret talks of delaying Brexit by eight weeks: The Telegraph (Reuters) - UK cabinet ministers have secretly held talks on plans to delay Brexit by eight weeks, the Telegraph newspaper reported late yesterday. The delay would postpone Brexit to May 24. Currently, Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29. Ministers are hoping EU will agree to a two-month “grace period” after March 29 in case Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal passes through parliament to provide the additional time for necessary legislation, the report said.
the area on a motorcycle, trailed a man into a business place located near the South Ruimveldt Shopping Plaza. They reportedly held the customer at gunpoint and relieved him of some $300,000 in gold jewellery. They were attempting to escape on their motorbike when persons who had witnessed the robbery pursued them. Duncan’s accomplice reportedly opened fire at their pursuers, but shot Duncan instead.The accomplice then escaped, while Duncan was apprehended at the scene. He was first treated at the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital before being transferred under guard to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
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NBA roundup: Harden (44 points) keeps rolling James Harden extended his streak of consecutive 30point games to 27 as the Houston Rockets defeated the host Phoenix Suns 118110 on Monday. Harden finished with 44 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. His 30-plus-point scoring streak is the third-longest in NBA history, behind two by Wilt Chamberlain. It was Harden’s 20th 40-point game on the season. Houston’s Kenneth Faried wound up with a double-double (17 points, 14 rebounds), while James Ennis III added 13 points and Chris Paul chipped in with 18 points, five rebounds, five
steals and four assists. The Suns, who stumbled to their season-worst 11th consecutive setback, got 25 points from Josh Jackson and 23 from Kelly Oubre Jr. Pistons 129, Nuggets 103 Andre Drummond piled up 27 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 25 minutes, and host Detroit snapped Denver’s sixgame winning streak. Stanley Johnson had 21 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Pistons, while another reserve, Langston Galloway, supplied 18 points. Blake Griffin contributed 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Nuggets were
missing Jamal Murray (ankle), Gary Harris (groin) and Paul Millsap (ankle). Denver, which fell a half-game behind the Golden State Warriors for the best record in the Western Conference, was led by reserve Trey Lyles with 20 points. Bucks 113, Nets 94 Giannis Antetokounmpo totaled 30 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists as Milwaukee concluded a fivegame road trip with a victory over Brooklyn in New York. Malcolm Brogdon added 16 points for the Bucks while Eric Bledsoe contributed 15 after sitting out Milwaukee’s win at Washington on Saturday with a sore left
Wednesday February 06, 2019 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today an important goal might reach a point you've been aiming at for a long time. All those in your entourage have new respect for you. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your focus today is likely to be on learning. Something you've wanted to study for a long time may finally be within your grasp. Perhaps money makes this possible, or you've finally settled on a workable course of action. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If you've been investing, look for it to pay off big. Or you could execute a new contract, settle a claim, or even win something. Expect the unexpected where money is concerned. CANCER(June21–July22) Plans for a social event that you were going to host in your home may have to be changed at the last minute. Even so, it should go very well. You're feeling exceptionally sociable now, not to mention romantic and sexy.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) An unexpected opportunity could temporarily throw your life into disorder, Libra, but you will see from the start that this is a definite stroke of good luck that you shouldn't let pass. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A lot of letters, calls, and other communications could skyrocket you into a new and unexpected space, Scorpio. If you've been thinking of trying your hand at writing or speaking, this is the day to work on it. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Good fortune continues to come your way, Sagittarius, and your life may finally seem to be moving in the direction you wanted. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) All the planets are very fortunately aligned for you, and the coming weeks should be great. Minor irritations today could make you wonder, though.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) An unexpected letter or call could totally turn your working situation in a new direction. This can be disconcerting, but it's a very positive and fortunate development.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may wonder why increased intuition has seemed to replace your usual logical self. An unexpected intellectual, spiritual, or metaphysical insight might come to you from another realm.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) For you, Virgo, relationships with other people should be going so well that you feel more loved than ever. A new friend or perhaps an old one you haven't seen in a while could suddenly become a powerful part of your life. .
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You should feel especially sociable today, Pisces. You might attend one or more events, or perhaps you will choose another type of group activity.elationships of all kinds should prove satisfying and comforting.
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports) Achilles. The Nets, who got 18 points from D’Angelo Russell, dropped a third straight game for the first time since their eight-game skid from Nov. 21-Dec. 5. Brooklyn also lost for the second time in its past 15 home games. Pacers 109, Pelicans 107 Darren Collison scored 22 points to lead a balanced scoring attack as visiting Indiana held off shorthanded New Orleans. Collison was joined in double figures by Domantas Sabonis (16 points and 13 rebounds), Myles Turner (15 points, nine rebounds), Thaddeus Young (14 points) and Bojan Bogdanovich (14 points) as the Pacers won their second straight game to finish a 2-2 road trip. Jahlil Okafor had 25 points and 13 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday added 19 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to lead the injury-riddled Pelicans, who lost for the sixth time in seven games. Hawks 137, Wizards 129 Taurean Prince scored 21 points, Kevin Huerter had 19, and Atlanta won at Washington. Nine Atlanta players scored in double figures, including all five starters. Omari Spellman (16 points, 10 rebounds), John Collins (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Trae Young (10 points, 10 assists) made multifaceted contributions for the Hawks. Collins got his doubledouble in just 17 minutes in the first half. He left in the second quarter with what the team called a facial laceration and did not return. Bradley Beal led the Wizards with a game-high 27 points, while Jeff Green added 26 and Trevor Ariza had 25. Kings 127, Spurs 112 Marvin Bagley III (24 points), Yogi Ferrell (19) and Harry Giles III (11) scored in
double figures off the bench as host Sacramento used superior depth to defeat San Antonio.Starters De’Aaron Fox (20 points), Buddy Hield (18) and Iman Shumpert (13) also scored in double figures for the Kings. Sacramento moved within a half-game of
the Los Angeles Clippers for the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference. DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points and LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 22 for San Antonio, which saw its five-game winning streak end. (Field Level Media)
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Alpine skiing - Vonn crashes but Shiffrin wins Super-G gold at worlds Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. stands up after a crash. (TT News Agency/Pontus Lundahl via REUTERS)
ARE, Sweden (Reuters) Lindsey Vonn’s hopes of a gold medal in the penultimate race of her glittering career were ended by a high-speed crash but Mikaela Shiffrin claimed victory in a nailbiting Super-G on the first day of racing at the world championships yesterday. It was a day of starkly contrasting fortunes for the two figureheads of the U.S. ski team. The 23-year-old Shiffrin had just put down what turned out to be the winning run, edging out Italian Sofia Goggia by 0.02 seconds, and was watching the screens in the finish area as speed queen Vonn started. Former Olympic champion Vonn, winner of 82 World Cup
races, began well but lost her line as she approached a small jump and hit a marker gate, before careering across the slope at high speed and into the safety netting. Shiffrin could hardly bring herself to watch as Vonn was attended to by course officials and medics, but thankfully the 34-year-old got back on her skis and made her way to the bottom. She waved to the crowd and received warm applause. “I feel like I’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler,” Vonn told a news conference later. “I got the wind knocked out of me but it’s okay. I wasn’t expecting it. I’ll have to watch the video.” The technical layout caused problems for many, but Shiffrin, who already has 56 World Cup wins including 13 this season, found the balance between speed and control to power to gold. It was her fourth world title but the first three had all been in slalom, the event in which she is almost untouchable. Swiss Corinne Suter was third, 0.05 slower than Shiffrin. Only 0.54 seconds separated the top 10 finishers. “This is crazy,” she said. “It was a really tight race, the differences were like nothing. It was a fight. It’s tough, all these girls deserved to win.” Tw o - t i m e world
champion Vonn, who has struggled with knee injuries throughout her c a r e e r, h a s s a i d s h e i s retiring after the championships in the Swedish resort. She could still end her career in fairytale fashion, however, with the downhill still to come, provided she suffered no damage during her spill on Tuesday. “ We k n e w t h i s w a s going to be a challenge for her, but she was pushing hard,” Bode Miller, the most successful male American skier and now analysing the championships for Eurosport, said. “I was a little concerned. She didn’t make much of an error. Happy to see her get up and stand up because those are the kind of accidents that eat you up. “She has another race coming up but it’s whether she is still willing to take that risk.” Despite the Super-G course being slightly shortened, it still proved a formidable piste with several skiers going off. Another American, Laurenne Ross, also crashed heavily as the cloud cover came down to create tricky light conditions. Czech Ester Ledecka, surprise gold-medallist in Super-G at last year’s Winter Olympics, finished outside the top 20.
Mourinho fined for tax fraud in Spain in lieu of jail time MADRID (Reuters) Former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has accepted a one-year prison sentence for defrauding the Spanish state of 3.3 million euros (2.8 million pounds), a Spanish court filing showed yesterday, although the Portuguese will not serve any jail time. The filing said the tax ministry and Mourinho’s defence team had agreed to exchange the 12-month prison sentence with a daily fine of 250 euros for 24 months, equivalent to 182,500 euros, as under Spanish law jail terms under two years can be served under probation. The court filing said Mourinho leased his image rights to companies based in the British Virgin Islands and Ireland in 2004 but left those earnings out of his tax returns from 2011 and 2012, when he was coach of Real Madrid and a fiscal
resident in Spain, “with the aim of obtaining illicit profits”. As well as the one-year prison sentence, Mourinho has been fined 1.9 million euros, 60 percent of the amount defrauded, as well as 121,764 euros in interest. The 56-year-old and his representatives could not immediately be reached for comment. Mourinho is one of the most successful coaches in modern European soccer, winning league titles with Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Porto. He also won the Champions League in 2004 with Porto and in 2010 with Inter Milan. He was sacked in December by Manchester United after the Premier League club, who won the last of their record 20 top flight league titles in 2013, endured their worst start to a season for 28 years.
Wednesday February 06, 2019
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Miller: Jason Holder slow-over ban is just ICC killjoys at work Andrew Miller UK editor, ESPNcricinfo - Trust the ICC to be a buzzkill. The decision to suspend Jason Holder in the wake of West Indies’ stunning victory in the Antigua Test is one of those typically letter-of-the-law decisions that make any rational recipient scream with outrage. It’s like being zapped by a speed camera while doing 38mph on a deserted stretch of A-road at 3 o’clock in the morning. Yes, I know rules are rules, and all that but .... AARGH! Jeff Crowe, the ICC match referee (whose previous hits include the closing moments of the 2007 World Cup in Barbados), no doubt waded through a ream of mitigating circumstances before, reluctantly, adhering to the governing body’s lugubrious protocols. Never mind the scorecard, the West Indies captain was a full two overs short of fulfilling his obligations to an entertainment-starved public. Crowe’s inner monologue may have played out something like this: “England’s batsmen caused endless delays to the action in this series by lining up to be zapped like moths in a chip shop ... check.” “The contest finished TWO WHOLE DAYS EARLY therefore a quicker over-rate would have resulted in even less of a spectacle for an enraptured paying public ... err, yes, check ... I think.” “The suspense and tension in the stadium whenever West Indies’ four quick bowlers were steaming in from the sight-screen - in particular Shannon Gabriel, with his Michael Holding approach and Patrick Patterson delivery stamp - by no means compensated for the loss of instant gratification that could have been provided by a sevenover spell of leg-stump darts from John Campbell. Check.” “Jason Holder is one of the good guys, an inspirational leader whose personal journey mirrors that of Clive Lloyd in the wake of West Indies’ 5-1 hammering on the Australia tour in 197576, and who - in the course of two brilliantly orchestrated Test victories - has overseen nothing short of a Caribbean renaissance. This, in turn, could reach a towering crescendo in St Lucia next week, and so we, cricket’s governing body, must go out of our way to cultivate the moment for the greater good of the game. Well, yes ... but will nobody think of Article 2.22.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct!” Checkmate.
Of course, it’s grossly unfair to single out Holder’s case over and above any other international cricket captain of the past umpteen years. No-one batted an eyelid when Afghanistan’s captain Nawroz Mangal, for instance, was nobbled in Buenos Aires during a World League Division Three fixture in 2009. More recently, when Alastair Cook was sin-binned on England’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2014, his predicament was laughed off as a mercy killing for a woefully out-of-form captain, not to mention a portent of his actual sacking as ODI captain two weeks later. No, the reaction to Holder’s sudden banishment from a series that he has dominated with bat, ball and brain has been overwhelmingly emotional and fundamentally irrational. It’s not a phenomenon unique to cricket - Laurent Blanc’s suspension from the 1998 World Cup final was one such example of a wider game united in sympathy for one player’s cause - but in a sport such as cricket, where the individual battles are the basis on which the whole team game is built, the absence of such a key protagonist is perhaps more keenly felt. But Holder’s predicament does beg the alternative question. Why on earth do people get so worked up about over-rates, anyway? Particularly in Test cricket, a form of the sport which is now let’s be honest here - not exactly built for speed. On the rare occasions that I get to proselytise about my favourite form of the game usually when one of my American colleagues is popping over the pond to find out what the fuss is all about - my advice to the uninitiated is “don’t watch it, just let it wash over you”. Bring a picnic, do the crossword, read a book, absorb the rhythm of the contest... and then, just when you’re beginning to wonder whether there’s any point to the spectacle other than as a backdrop to an afternoon of sun-bathing and idle chitchat, it will hit you between the eyes. A passage of play that is so absorbing, time stands still, and even the beer snakes cease their writhing. Think of some of the great passages of play that you’ve borne witness to in Tests gone by. Flintoff’s over at Edgbaston was seven balls, including a crucial bonus noball that allowed Ricky Ponting to edge the outswinger; Atherton v Donald at Trent Bridge came
Jason Holder and his team-mates kill some more time. (Getty Images) and went in a blur of bouncers and edges - probably eight overs tops, half of which weren’t even delivered by or to the men who stole the moment. You’d be hard-pressed to say that any spectator who witnessed moments such as those could possibly claim to have been short-changed, however fleeting the duel may have been. Now think of some of the dross. Alex Hales’ donkey drops during the Cape Town Test two years ago, for instance, or the dull but efficient darts that Chris Gayle continues to serve up on the T20 circuit but which
claimed him 73 wickets at an economy rate of less than 3 back in his Test days. Unless there is a tactical reason for such bowlers to be unleashed - and there often is, it’s why Test cricket is so fascinating - there’s no way on earth that captains should be forced to turn to them just because the regulators are tapping their watches on the boundary’s edge. In fairness to the ICC, there are obvious reasons why protocols have to exist. Time-wasting can be a deliberate and serieschanging tactic - think West Indies in Trinidad in 1989-90, for instance, or England at
Cardiff in the 2009 Ashes. These are the instances that need to be stamped on for the greater good, for these are the moments when the spectators (or half of them, at any rate) are liable to feel short-changed But if people really do get worked up about over-rates, then the only thing to do is eat into the margins that will actually punish the players without short-changing the fans. If “two overs” is the shortfall that can cost Jason Holder his shot at leading West Indies to a 3-0 “blackwash”, then get all fielding teams to bowl 30
overs a session come what may, and eat into their lunch and tea breaks rather than the sport’s competitive integrity. But until then, the ICC need to brace for the brickbats and accept that they have made a miserable, selfflagellatory, joy-sucking pronouncement, one that goes against the wishes of pretty much every cricketlover in the globe... not least the put-upon England fans who, in between their howls of despair at their lamebrained glory-slogging batsmen, have secretly rather enjoyed this month’s reminder of what Test cricket used to be.
Briton held in UAE ‘after wearing Qatar football shirt’ BBC Sport - A British football fan has been arrested and detained in the United Arab Emirates after reportedly wearing a Qatar team shirt to a match. Ali Issa Ahmad, 26, from Wolverhampton, is said to have been unaware of a law against “showing sympathy” for Qatar brought in over a diplomatic dispute. A friend says he was later accused of making false claims about officials. The Foreign Office said it was providing assistance to a UK citizen and was in touch with UAE authorities. The UAE and other countries in the region are currently engaged in a political and diplomatic stand-off with Qatar after
they accused the state of supporting radical and Islamist groups. On its website, the Foreign Office warns travellers to the UAE of a June 2017 announcement “that showing sympathy for Qatar on social media or by any other means of communication is an offence. Offenders could be imprisoned and subject to a substantial fine”. Arsenal fan Mr Ahmad is said to have travelled to the UAE for a holiday. He was arrested after Qatar
played Iraq on 22 January. According to a friend, quoted by the Guardian, he was assaulted by security officials after being released. He then reportedly went to a police station to report the incident and was accused of telling lies and detained. The UAE embassy in London said it was unable to comment specifically on the case, but “allegations of human rights violations are taken extremely seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.” A spokesman added: “As the 1.5m British
citizens who visit the UAE each year know, we are a country built on the rule of law and respect for individuals.” Shoes thrown A land, air and sea blockade of Qatar by a number of its neighbouring countries meant there were very few fans of the Gulf State in attendance during its Asian Cup matches. When Qatar knocked the UAE out in the semi-final, objects and shoes were thrown at their players. Qatar went on to win the tournament, defeating Japan 3-1 in the final on 1 February.
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Patriots now under control of Hong Kong-based interests
Superstar Patriots openers Chris Gayle (right) and Evin Lewis.
BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Chris Gayle’s St Kitts and Nevis Patriots will be under new ownership for the upcoming Hero Caribbean Premier League. Organisers announced Monday that City Sports, Hong Kong – a member of the City Group of companies – had purchased the franchise ahead of the new season scheduled to bowl off in August. Patriots was previously owned by Dr Uday Nayak and Mohammed Ansari. “We have been delighted with the way that the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots franchise has grown since they first joined the league in 2015 and we are certain that the City
Group can take the team forward to even greater success,” said CPL’s chief operating officer, Pete Russell. “This investment shows the high regard in which the CPL is held around the world and how the tournament continues to go from strength to strength. “St Kitts & Nevis has always been a big part of CPL since we first had games there in 2014 and we look forward to that continuing for years to come. “We would like to express our thanks to Dr Uday Nayak, Mohammad Ansari and their team for the amazing job they have done with the Patriots over the years.”
Patriots, based at Warner Park, replaced Antigua Hawksbills for the 2015 season and have gone on to make their mark in the tournament, reaching the 2017 final before going down to eventual champions, Trinbago Knight Riders. Their roster currently boasts the likes of superstar Gayle, West Indies Twenty20 opener, Evin Lewis, and Windies T20 skipper Carlos Brathwaite. City Sports chairman, Sushil Kumar, said the company hoped to make Patriots a success, not only on the field, but for the country as a whole. “We at City Sports are elated to be a part of the Hero CPL and having acquired the
St Kitts & Nevis franchise we want to become part of the local community through the game of cricket,” he said. “We want to promote the spirit of true sportsmanship and fair play, while at the same time creating a unique identity through our focus on performance and development.” “With a total economic impact for the Hero CPL 2018 being in excess of US$127 million, we are looking to bring a greater economic impact to St Kitts & Nevis in 2019 and beyond. “We are also hoping our investment into the St Kitts & Nevis franchise is a catalyst to further investment into the country and growth of its economy.”
Long serving Swim Coach Stephanie Fraser now a Certified FINA Referee The indefatigable Stephanie Fraser who has served the swimming fraternity with great humility over the years as a qualified Coach has now been certified by the international body FINA as a Referee. Fraser, who also served as Dorado Speed Swim Club (DSSC) Coach since its formation in March 1993 and resigned as of February 1st this year, is one of two Guyanese officials appearing on the FINA Officials list; the other being Joanne Lowe who is an accredited Starter since 2013. Fraser replaces Charles Corbin who served as a FINA Referee since 2015, his name has not appeared on the new list of officials released by the world body. Fraser and Lowe will serve from January 1st 2019 to December 31st, 2022. In an invited comment, Fraser disclosed that she had attended the last FINA
Official’s Course and was successful following the test and prior to that, would have been attending all FINA Courses offered since 2003 but had never applied to FINA. She however did decide to apply to the world body four years ago through the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) but heard nothing about her application. Not daunted, Fraser applied again last year via the same process and this time the then General Secretary forwarded her application.On seeing her name appearing as part of the new FINA Accredited Officials list, Fraser stated, “I was surprised to see my name on their new list.” The former National Sports Commission Coach further disclosed that having resigned as DSSC Coach; she is now focusing on working with the other aspects of management related to swimming.
Wednesday February 06, 2019
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Shackled Bahraini footballer in Thailand ‘upsetting’ - Australia Prime Minister SYDNEY/BANGKOK (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said yesterday he was “disturbed” to see Bahraini refugee footballer Hakeem Al Araibi in shackles in Thailand and had told its prime minister this was a serious issue for Australians. Pressure is mounting on Bangkok to free Araibi, who was arrested in Thailand in November on behalf of the Bahraini government, with Canberra and soccer’s world governing body FIFA demanding his return to Australia where he plays. Araibi, who fled Bahrain in 2014 before being granted permanent residence in Australia, has said he would face torture if sent back to Bahrain for his criticism of the royal family. Morrison said he was “disturbed” to see Araibi with shackles on his feet arrive at
a Bangkok court on Monday. The court extended his detention for two months. “I thought that was very upsetting and I know it would have upset many Australians, and I respectfully reminded the Thai prime minister that Australians feel very strongly about this,” Morrison told Sky News. “So we will continue to make these representations and not just to Thailand, but also to Bahrain,” he added. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, leader of the junta, said on Tuesday his government could not intervene in the court proceedings. “Do not jump to conclusion about the verdict and do not politicise this,” Prayuth told reporters. Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said Australia and Bahrain should negotiate a solution.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia, October 20, 2018. (REUTERS/Phil Noble)
“We don’t have a stake in this and it’s a matter that the two countries need to talk,” Don told reporters. “If they can’t find a solution, then Thailand is ready to mediate. I am sure things will not escalate, but for now Hakeem will be under the care of Thai authorities.” Araibi was convicted of vandalising a police station in Bahrain and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in absentia. He denies wrongdoing, saying he was playing in a televised soccer match at the time. Araibi was tortured by Bahraini authorities because of his brother’s political activities during the Arab Spring uprising in 2011, New York-based Human Rights Watch has said. Bahraini authorities deny allegations of torture. Phil Robertson, the group’s deputy Asia director, said Araibi’s return to Australia “is an open and shut case.” “Everybody seems to realize that except the Thai government,” he told Reuters. Many Thais, including former deputy prime minister Chaturon Chaisang, have called for Araibi’s release, making the hashtag #SaveHakeem the top trending Thai item on Twitter on Monday. Thai soccer team Chiang Rai United have also joined the campaign to free Araibi, who played for Melbourne’s second tier Pascoe Vale soccer club. Football Federation Australia have ramped up their campaign to free Araibi and pledged A$10,000 (5,581.34 pounds) on Tuesday to kickstart a fundraising drive to help return him to Australia.
Ansa McAl 592 Beer supports GTC Pre-Mashramani Gymkhana race meet Under their 592 Beer, Ansa McAl has thrown their support behind the Georgetown Turf Club which will reopen its doors for horseracing fans on Sunday February 17th at the Mocha Arcadia horserace track for the pre-Mashramani Gymkhana and horserace meet to be held there. Simms and Compton Sancho journeyed to the Ansa McAl Office at Beterverwagting on the East Coast yesterday where Brand Coordinator Seweon McGarrell handed over the sponsorship for two races on the programme for KC and L Open class horses.
The winners in the respective events are down to collect $100,000 and $90,000 purses. The President of the turf club, Michael Sims, recently returned to Guyana to do some renovations at the venue and he has already met with various stakeholders to further plans for the development of the club. He was thankful for the assistance from Ansa McAl for the two races under their 592 Beer Brand. Sims had indicated that he is continuing to seek assistance from all stake holders including the
Government of Guyana (GoG) to extend the race track to the distance of one mile and clearing of the eastern and western canal to ensure the track stays dry. Other plans include the construction of a Grand stand, clearing of a cricket pitch and football ground for use by sports teams and persons in the adjoining neighborhood.
Jailed Bahraini footballer Hakeem Al Araibi leaves Thailand’s Criminal Court, in Bangkok, Thailand February 4, 2019. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)
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Wednesday February 06, 2019
Kaieteur News
GCB Senior Female Inter-County 50-over
Giddings grabs 5 as Berbice retain title
- Gajnabi, Fraser, Mangru lead Select U-19 to victory over E’bo
Mandy Mangru in action.
Erva Giddings By Zaheer Mohamed Pacer Erva Giddings grabbed five wickets as Berbice successfully defended their title following an eight-wicket victory over Demerara when the final round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) senior female Inter-County 50-over tournament was contested yesterday. Giddings rocked the top order early on removing Keisha Fraser (05) and Temica Wilson (00) in quick succession after Demerara opted to bat at Bourda. Lashana Toussaint and Akaze Thompson showed some resistance before Toussaint was bowled by Giddings after facing 26 balls and hit one four in scoring 16. Thompson
was removed by Sherica Campbelle for 19 which came off 36 balls and contained a solitary boundary. Giddings then removed Kaysia Shultz and Haseena Mohamed, both without scoring as Demerara’s disappointing batting display continued. They never recovered and were bowled out for 68 in 25.1 overs. Only Heema Singh (12) of the remaining batters reached double figures as Giddings finished with 5-13 from six overs, while Sheneta Grimmond had 2-4. Singh bowled opener Melanie Henry (09), while Thompson sent back Marian Samaroo (06) in similar fashion as Berbice lost two early wickets in reply. However, Grimmond
Shabika Gajnabi (left) and Cherry Ann Fraser. struck two fours and one six in an unbeaten 36 off 31 balls, while Campbelle made seven not out as Berbice finished on 69-2 in 13.3 overs. At Everest Cricket Club, the Select U19 defeated Essequibo by 309 runs. New ball bowlers Aniliza D’Aguiar and Kumarie Persaud removed openers Casey Charles (09) and Mandy Mangru (06) respectively, leaving the Select U19 at 40-
2, after the decided to bat. But Shabika Gajnabi and Cherry Ann Fraser added 229 for the third wicket to frustrate their opponents. Gajnabi got her innings off with a couple of boundaries, while Fraser rotated the strike nicely with nudges and pushes. The pair capitalised on a couple of drop catches with Fraser counting eight fours and one six before she was bowled by V. Balkishun for 93.
Gajnabi continued to play her shots after reaching her century and slammed 18 fours and one six before she fell to Balkishun for 160. Africa Gentle hit an unbeaten 39 with two fours and one six, while Lafona Gilgeous chipped in with 18 not out as the Select U19 posted 384-4 off their reduced quota of 42 overs. Off-spinner Mandy Mangru had Divine Ross (01) and Chelsea Garfield (01),
restricting Essequibo to 6-2 in response. Mangru continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals and Essequibo were sent packing for 55 in 18 overs. Lisa Charles top scored with 15, while D’Aguiar (09) and Kumarie Persaud (07) were the next best as five batters failed to score. Mangru bagged 7-18 from eight overs, while Navina Ramnauth took 3-14. The T20 version will commence on tomorrow.
Cameron calls on ICC to review Caribbean bowlers achieve 23-year high over-rates rule after ‘crippling’ Jason Holder suspension ESPNcricinfo - Dave Cameron, the president of CWI, has called on the ICC to review its policy of suspending captains who oversee slow over rates, after describing Jason Holder’s absence from next week’s third Test in St Lucia as a “crippling” decision that will overshadow a famous series win over England. Holder was handed a onematch suspension by the ICC in the wake of their ten-wicket victory in Antigua last week, after it was deemed that West Indies had been two overs short of fulfilling their quota of overs, after time allowances were taken into consideration. It means that their bid for a memorable 3-0 clean sweep will be undermined by the absence of the outstanding player of the series to date. Holder dominated the first Test with an unbeaten 202, his highest Test innings and first century on his home island of
Barbados, and has also claimed seven wickets at 17.85, including a key haul of 4 for 43 in the second innings in Antigua. In addition, his captaincy has been integral in gelling a young and motivated team. Kraigg Brathwaite will lead the side in St Lucia in Holder’s absence, with the Guyanese allrounder Keemo Paul coming into the squad as cover. Holder is expected to remain with the squad during the St Lucia Test, and will be available to provide motivation behind the scenes, but Cameron did not hide his frustration at his captain’s impending absence. “We will, of course, abide by the ICC ruling, but we have to wonder if such punitive action at a pivotal stage of the series is good for cricket,” he said. “What a shame if the series is remembered not for the sparkling play of the reinvigorated West Indies
players but for a crippling decision made by a rule that ought to be modified. “Jason now has the opportunity to benefit from resting his body over the period of the next Test, and be well prepared for the upcoming ODI series against England which begins on February 20.” CWI is also braced for the ICC’s report into the pitch prepared for the Antigua Test. With a perceived ridge just short of a good length, it was a surface which proved particularly lively in the first innings, with Joe Root receiving an unplayable lifter from Alzarri Joseph, while Roston Chase was bowled by a shooter from Stuart Broad on the second day. However, CWI is hopeful of avoiding a demerit point for a “poor” surface, after West Indies’ own batsmen proved that decent run-scoring was possible in making 306 in their only completed innings.
LONDON, CMC – West Indies captain Jason Holder and fellow fast bowler Kemar Roach have made significant strides in the latest ICC Test rankings released yesterday. Holder, who last week became the top-ranked allrounder in the world, jumped four spots in the bowlers rankings this time around and now lies on a career-best sixth place. The 27-year-old has also now reached 778 rating points which marks the highest by a West Indies bowler since legendary speedster Courtney Walsh retired 18 years ago. Holder followed up his unbeaten double century in the first Test in Bridgetown with an outstanding performance with the ball in the second innings of the second Test in Antigua last weekend, which the Windies won emphatically by 10 wickets. It was his spell after lunch that broke the backbone of the England batting and helped send them crashing for 132 all out in their second innings at the Vivian Richards Cricket
Fast bowler Kemar Roach. Ground. He finished with four wickets while Roach, who scythed through the middle and lower order, also claimed four to end with an eightwicket match haul. That performance saw Roach leap eight spots in the rankings to 12th just behind new-ball partner Shannon Gabriel who rose on spot to 11th. The trio’s presence in the top 12 marks the first time in 23 years that three Caribbean bowlers have been ranked so highly on the ICC charts.
Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph also enjoyed healthy movement up the rankings, jumping 12 places to 53rd. In the batting rankings, wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich rose two places to 45th, Shai Hope moved up five places to 46, while Darren Bravo gained two places to be 55th, after scoring exactly 50 in the first innings of the last Test. Opener Kraigg Brathwaite, meanwhile, inched up one place to 33rd to be the highest-ranked West Indies batsman, two ahead of his skipper Holder.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 06, 2019
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Eight teams to compete for a place in GFF Elite League - Cougars FC relegated Season 4 Promotion Playoff
E
ight teams will vie for a chance to participate in the GFF Elite League Season 4 when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) hosts the Elite League Season 4 promotion playoff this Saturday and Sunday at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence. They include League champions from Regional Member Associations (RMA) including River’s
View FC (Bartica FA), Soesdyke Falcons (East Bank FA), Buxton Stars FC (East Demerara FA), F C E a g l e s ( We s t Demerara FA), NA United (Berbice FA) and Police FC, Georgetown Football Club (GFA) and Santos FC respectively from the Georgetown FA. In an invited comment, G F F ’s C o m p e t i t i o n s Director Ian Alves explained the inclusion of two
additional clubs from the GFA: “The Berbice and Essequibo-Pomeroon FAs could not field a champion c l u b i n t h e y e a r- e n d tournament but contested as an Association. The opportunity was therefore utilized to involved two of t h e G FA c l u b s t h a t performed creditably during 2018.” Following the official draw of the playoff held yesterday at 15:00hrs at the
GFF’s Boardroom in the presence of participating clubs’ representatives, the event will see teams competing in the following order and times: Match 1: Santos FC vs FC Eagles at 10:00hrs; Match 2: GFC vs Buxton Stars FC at 12:00hrs; Match 3: Rivers View FC vs Police FC at 14:00hrs and Match 4: NA United FC vs Soesdyke Falcons FC at 16:00hrs
GFF Elite League 4 - RMAs Club Representatives At The Official Draw Of The GFF-Elite League Season 4 Promotion Draw.
On Sunday, the schedule will see Winner of Match 1 vs Winner of Match 2 at 10:00hrs and Winner of Match 3 vs Winner of Match 4 at 12:00hrs. This playoff became necessary as per the GFF Elite League Rules & Regulations, which speak to relegation and promotion at the end of the league. According to the rule, “the top eight clubs based on their points standing at the end of the tournament will automatically qualify for the next season. The 10th -
placed team will be automatically relegated and the winner of the Association Level Championship will be promoted. The 9th-placed team will have a playoff with the runner-up of the ALC to determine promotion and relegation.” As per the current points standing, Cougars FC have been relegated, while NA United will fight for their chance to remain in the elite league. The GFF Elite League is scheduled to commence in early March.
t r o Sp GCB Senior Female Inter-County 50-over
Giddings grabs 5 as Berbice retain title
The victorious Berbice team.
- Gajnabi, Fraser, Mangru lead Select U-19 to victory over E’bo
Stephanie Fraser
Long serving Swim Coach Stephanie Fraser now a Certified FINA Referee
Ansa McAl Brand Coordinator Seweon McGarrell (right) presents the sponsorship to Michael Simms as Compton Sancho share the moment yesterday.
Ansa McAl 592 Beer supports GTC Pre-Mashramani Gymkhana race meet
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